Philadelphia 76ers developing developing dilemma

2 of 5

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 24: General Manager Bryan Colangelo of the Philadelphia 76ers watches the game in the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the Wells Fargo Center on January 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bulls 115-101. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Musta got lost…

The plan was sound on paper. That 2017 NBA Draft yielded five solid prospects for the Philadelphia 76ers. Of course, any draft which nets the team the top-pick-of-the-draft is a good draft. But this draft didn’t end there. The team, with plenty of draft assets, decided that the 2017 NBA Draft was the place to load up the pipeline with players. And that is what the team did.

The team traded back into the first round to grab center Anzejs Pasecniks, then selected power forward Jonah Bolden, then sold two picks. Finally, the team chose small forward Mathias Lessort. The team stashed all but Fultz in overseas contracts and prepared to onboard wing Furkan Korkmaz. From that point, the team had four players to work with in the 2017-2018 season. In the 2018 season, the team had the opportunity for either one or two first round draft picks – pending the outcome of the Los Angeles Lakers first round pick.

Two flats and a slow leak…

The team would have two players from the 2016 draft in Ben Simmons (rookie) and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot developing, matched with 2017 draft pick Markelle Fultz paired with redshirted Furkan Korkmaz. Four players on a 15 man roster to develop, grow, and carry into that 2018 season prepared to contribute. Four players a year, feeding the roster and allowing plenty of time to vet, train, hone, and mature into NBA caliber.

To prove the team’s commitment to their young players, the team signed J.J. Redick, a solid veteran at a position of need, to just a one-year deal. In similar fashion, the team signed Amir Johnson to fill in at the front court. After all, between Fultz, TLC, and Korkmaz, one or more surely would be ready for significant minutes, if not outright starts. Based on the way Luwawu-Cabarrot finished that 2016-2017 season, that seemed rather safe. But once more, reality deflated reflect lofty expectations. The original plan to grow four players this season fell flat on two, and a third player regressed like a slow tire leak.