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Did the Sixers win the Kawhi Leonard trade?

By Christopher Croom

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on December 30, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on December 30, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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How did the Philadelphia 76ers win Wednesday’s Kawhi Leonard trade?

The biggest news of Wednesday, July 18, 2018 was Kawhi Leonard being traded to the Toronto Raptors.

Such a big trade will surely leave the rest of the NBA feeling the ripples of its impact. But is it possible that neither of the teams involved were the big winner of the day?

In many ways, I think the rest of the NBA won today, but perhaps no one as much as the Philadelphia 76ers. I’m going to explain why Philadelphia did not miss out, in not landing The Claw, while elaborating on the effect this will have on the Sixers’ chances to win the East.

Why Philadelphia didn’t miss out

As some guy previously mentioned, maintaining the process requires the long view: that is, calculated risk, and not cashing in the process for chips that may not be needed, or at the wrong time.

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It seems Philadelphia’s trade proposal to San Antonio, as I suspected, never included Dario Saric, which leads me to believe that only Robert Covington and a couple of first rounders were on the table—which this author is glad to hear.

Previous reports had Philadelphia offering Covington, Saric, and maybe one or two first-round picks. That would have been an irrational price for Kawhi Leonard; top five player or not.

If that offer was true at any time, it would be a perfect example of too much for too little. The only thing the trade would obtain is uncertainty—whether it be in Leonard’s health, or longevity with the team. Others have examined this trade scenario up and down (here and here), so I will not take up much more space with it.

However, the fact of the matter is that being able to hold on to home grown players like Saric, Covington, and Markelle Fultz (also desired by the Spurs), and draft assets is a huge win for the Liberty Ballers. Drafting well and maintaining cap space is how the Sixers have come this far.

Philadelphia didn’t miss out—they made out… like bandits.

Peripherals benefits

Not only is keeping assets of great value but should Philadelphia desire to pursue Leonard in free agency, the organization now has more time to bring in a GM, cementing the stability of the front office, and maybe luring Leonard into the team at a lower buying price, once Kawhi understands how open the East truly is (and because Philly is a better landing place than Toronto).

Additionally, not obtaining Leonard allows the team itself not to have to adjust to bringing in a top five player, and Simmons and Embiid can continue to know this team belongs to them, and they are the stars for years to come.

The team has just come off a spectacular season and playoff series win, and it was clear they had the talent to beat Boston but lacked the poise. The team core, as established, continues to grow together—this is a critical, but sure to be overlooked benefit of this trade.

Effects on the East

The lasting effect on the East are plentiful. Previously I wrote that I believed Philadelphia was the second or third best team in the East; now I firmly believe them to be number two, behind only Boston (who edges Philadelphia only because of Brad Stevens).

Let me explain a few reasons I believe Toronto, despite the initial reaction, just got a little worse this season.

Toronto is a team that was built for iso-basketball. Kawhi could be a great iso player, but he comes from a system of moving the ball and making the extra pass. The players of the Raptors just aren’t used to someone with that mindset.

Must Read: 3 reasons the Kawhi trade helps the Sixers

There is a very real possibility Kawhi or the remaining Raptors may find frustration not being on the same page for some while (which could eventually lead to Kawhi being traded again).

Everyone said the same about James Harden and Chris Paul and were proven wrong. Will this author be proven wrong? Perhaps. But I wouldn’t bet on it.

https://thesixersense.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=88298&action=edit#The other scenario possibly effecting the East is this: Kyle Lowry.

If you know the history of Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, suffice to say they didn’t start well. Could similar trouble befall this new union in the North? Or perhaps Toronto is planning to ship Lowry out altogether?

Should any of these come to pass, Philadelphia will be in prime position to challenge for the first seed in the East, barring any significant injuries.

None of the other teams have improved with any significance, and so the terrain should look eerily similar to last year, sans Cavaliers and the inevitable .500 team that scratches their way to the eighth seed because of it.

The big picture

Altogether, the future continues to look bright for Philadelphia. Whether its from maintaining assets, cap flexibility for next season, or the stability and experience gained from last year’s successful run, fans have a lot to look forward to this year.

With the anticipated improvement of Fultz, addition of Zhaire Smith and the potential readiness of Furkan Korkmaz to jump in the fold, everything is turning up aces for a powerful 2019 campaign.

Next: Will McConnell survive the roster crunch?

Please add your thoughts and comments below!