Philadelphia 76ers: How the Process must proceed

The Philadelphia 76ers are heading into their most important summer in decades. The process can either continue or derail. Here’s what has to happen for the Sixers to continue in the right direction.

The Philadelphia 76ers are headed into their most important summer in years. Philadelphia has enough salary cap room to sign at least one major free agent. Philly also has the tenth selection in this summer’s draft, along with a flurry of second round picks.

Unfortunately the Sixers also has a major issue with their current general manager. Since Philadelphia ownership seems to be paralyzed at the moment on a course of action, lets see if we can help them out. As the Process moves forward:

FIRE COLANGELO ASAP

Bryan Colangelo should have been removed of all GM duties last week. The longer Colangelo stays in limbo, the more the 76ers franchise is hurt because it will take longer to find a replacement and move on. There is no way Colangelo can stay with the organization going forward. If Philly management doesn’t see that, this organization is in more trouble than I thought.

REACH OUT TO DAVID GRIFFIN

Make a call to David Griffin and tell him the Sixers GM job is his IF he can sign LeBron James to a contract. Explain to Griffin this is part of his interview process and the job is his contingent on bringing LBJ to Philly.

The addition of James to Philly’s current roster probably places Philly in the Finals next year. Give James a three-year, $100 million contract. James will want a player opt-out option. Give it to him. James is still the best player on the planet and can bring discipline and accountability to the Sixers roster, which is sorely needed.

The lawyers can work out the logistics of the deal. Griffin may be a good hire even if James decides on a non-Sixer option. Griffin should be the first person Philadelphia reaches out to. If Griffin isn’t the guy, offer the position in-house to either Marc Eversly or Elton Brand.

It should be understood to whoever accepts the job that the original Process-tanking concept was to build a player foundation that will carry the 76ers organization for the next 10 years. The last option when continuing to build a championship team should be to trade a young foundation piece player. Also it should be in the next GM’s contract and clearly stated “No Twitter or other social media burner accounts”.

Please no rumblings about bringing back Sam Hinkie. Anyone can tank a team and make trades for level “B” players and second round picks. Hinkie’s players still with the 76ers comprised one of the worst benches in the league last season until Colangelo upgraded the bench by signing Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova mid-season.

THE DRAFT

This years’ draft is important because it will be the last high pick the Sixers have for years. One thing to not do is get fancy and bundle current assets to trade up. There is no Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons in this year’s draft.

DRAFT PROFILE: Donte DiVincenzo

Donte DiVincenzo should be selected if he is available at 10. DiVincenzo is what the Sixers were hoping Markelle Fultz would be last season. DiVincenzo is a local kid, athletic, can get his own shot and is not afraid of playing in a big moment. If Fultz turns out to be a player, it is a good problem to have in terms of dividing minutes between them next season. Sorry, T.J.

FOCUS ON UPGRADING FIRST

The primary focus should be on upgrading the roster through free agency. Philadelphia has a hard cap space limit of $58 million to spend, which should be enough to land either a LeBron James or Paul George with room to spare.

The core is in place with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Dario Saric and Robert Covington and Markelle Fultz returning. Also back will be Justin Anderson, T.J. McConnell, Richaun Holmes, Furkan Korkmaz and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, all on team friendly contracts.

Jerryd Bayless is back on a final year $8.6 million dollar contract. Philly should see if they can pick up a second-round pick for Bayless. They would still probably have to eat at least $6 million of his contract, but it may be worth it if they can acquire anything.

J.J. Redick should be the second priority if he’s willing to accept a team friendly deal at $25 million over two years. If James is signed, Redick would be more willing to re-sign at a lower number.

Re-sign Ilyasova if he is willing to play backup center and power forward. If Philly drafts Donte DiVincenzo, there is no need to bring back Marco Belinelli.

Philadelphia management has to understand that despite their current issues, they still have an attractive team to play for. They are better off letting role players walk if other teams are going to overpay them, especially if LeBron James signs here.

SUMMER LEAGUE

Whoever Philly selects should play in the summer along with Markelle Fultz. Ben Simmons should play to work on his shot, however that probably will not happen.

Next: Sixers should have drafted Michael Redd in 2000

At least try to keep JoJo from playing hard-court pickup.