The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: Grading Elton Brand’s full first year as GM

By Lucas Johnson

Philadelphia 76ers, Elton Brand (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers, Elton Brand (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers, Matisse Thybulle and Elton Brand (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers, Matisse Thybulle and Elton Brand (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

June, 2019

The NBA Draft/Trades: C+

This draft was unique for Philly. They had five picks going into the draft and only came away with two players in Matisse Thybulle and Marial Shayok. Both fit are projected to become 3-and-D players as they develop. Despite coming away with two solid players, this draft can’t be consider a win for the Sixers.

The Sixers traded the the 24th pick and the 33rd pick to acquire the rights for Thybulle who was drafted with the 20th pick by the Boston Celtics. Thybulle is one of the best defenders in the draft, but giving the rights for Ty Jerome who was drafted with the 24th pick and Carsen Edwards at the 33rd pick was a steep price to pay. Both project to be good point guards in the NBA in due time.

The team then drafted and traded center Bruno Fernando to the Atlanta Hawks for the rights to the 57th pick (Jordan Bone), a 2020 second round pick (protected 56-60) and a 2023 second round pick. The compensation for Fernando wasn’t bad, but the Sixers could have used a big man like him to help fortify the depth at the center position.

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Philly traded the rights to the 42nd pick, who ended up being Admiral Schofield and Jonathon Simmons to the Washington Wizards for cash. The move was a way to dump Simmons’ salary before free agency, it just wasn’t a good look to attach a pick in this past draft to do so.

After the Sixers acquired the rights to the 57th that was used to draft Jordan Bone, they traded that his draft rights to the Detroit Piston for a 2024 second round pick (via the Miami Heat) and cash. Bone might have been able to help at the point guard depth, but getting another pick and cash seemed to be a trend for Brand during this draft.

Waived Haywood Highsmith: Grade B-

Despite having a solid season in the G-League, Highsmith failed to make an impression when he played with the 76ers. In five games he was only able to average 1.8 points. Highsmith probably hasn’t finished developing yet, but waiving him opened up a spot for more pressing need.