The Sixer Sense
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Sixers could have offered the Spurs a better package for Kawhi

By Christopher Kline

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 28: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball as DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on November 28, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 28: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball as DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on November 28, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers, in theory, should have had a more competitive offer for Kawhi Leonard.

I, as well as many others on staff here at The Sixer Sense, have been advocating for a Kawhi Leonard trade since rumors began circulating. The Philadelphia 76ers always had the assets to be competitive on the trade front, and his fit next to the current core is seamless.

On top of that, Leonard seemed open to the idea of re-signing in Philly. As of right now, he doesn’t seem open to the idea of playing in Toronto.

Now that Leonard is heading to the Raptors, though, the Sixers will be forced to move forward without adding an elite-level star. LeBron James and Paul George went elsewhere this summer and Leonard was their best opportunity on the trade market.

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And that’s fine. Even without another star, internal development alone should make them competitive in the East next season. The Raptors and Celtics might be prohibitive favorites (assuming Kawhi is healthy and playing), but the Sixers will almost certainly be one of the top seeds in the conference.

The biggest issue with the Kawhi trade is what the Raptors gave up to get him. Even with injury concerns and an expiring contract, Leonard is one of the five best players on the planet when healthy. If the Sixers had the best package on the market, a) they should have offered it or b) the Spurs should have taken it.

Receiving DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a top-20 protected first-round pick, it seems clear the the Spurs are prioritizing wins over long-term upside. DeRozan is an All-Star and Poeltl can give them minutes off the bench. The pick will most likely convey next June.

That’s a flawed approach for a Spurs team in desperate need of a blow-up. A core duo of LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan isn’t touching the Warriors, regardless of how much magic Gregg Popovich is able to work.

Most Sixers packages, at least in rumors, were built around Dario Saric, Robert Covington and Miami’s 2021 first-round pick. That gives the Spurs a young, versatile power forward with untapped playmaking upside, a First Team All-Defense member, and an unprotected pick.

Any reasonable front office, especially in the Spurs’ current situation, would take that over a flawed All-Star on a questionable contract who’s quickly approaching age 30.

Simply put, the Sixers could have presented a better offer while keeping the core trio of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz together. That should have been on the table, and something the Sixers were eager to pull the trigger on.

If the Spurs turned that offer down, that’s their problem.