The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers 2018 NBA Draft picture post NBA Trade deadline

By Bret Stuter

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: The lottery drawing begins inside the lottery room during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: The lottery drawing begins inside the lottery room during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 10: Channing Frye
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 10: Channing Frye /

Lakers salary, Cavs defense

For the Lakers, it offloads the significant salary cap hit of Jordan Clarkson, who averages over $12 million for the next three years. In return, they now have both Thomas and Frye, whose contracts expire at the end of this season. Clarkson was a key player for the Lakers, getting just 24 minutes but coming off the bench to put up over 14 points per game.

Conversely, Thomas needs 27 minutes for similar production, and his defense is simply absent at times. The Lakers have no intentions of making a playoff run to end the 2017-2018 season.  But with two expiring contracts and a late first round pick, the team now has significant flexibility in the 2018 off-season in both free agency and with holding two picks in the draft.

Cavs Stronger, which means Lakers are likely far weaker

For the Cavaliers, it was intended to up their defense to a level which can compete in the playoffs. The Cavs had been shredded over and over by inferior teams, and not even 110 percent of LeBron James could help. With this move, they hope that will no longer be a major issue. While this raises the competitiveness of the Cavaliers, what does it do for the Lakers?

Admittedly, one point does not a trend make. But the post-trade-deadline Lakers lost to the not-known-for-their-offense Dallas Mavericks by a score of 130-123. That 130 points is the worst showing of the Lakers defense this season, by a significant margin. Similarly, the Cavaliers win over the Atlanta Hawks by the score of 123-107 seems awfully encouraging to their defense going forward. So how is that draft pick?

Now at 11,  I can see the pick landing on or about 7 in the upcoming draft. The Lakers will struggle to win 30+ games with this current roster.  ADVANTAGE: 76ers