Philadelphia 76ers’ Summer of Blunders

Embiid likes them, so they have to go

Thinking at the time: J.J. Redick and Embiid worked well on offense together. As one of the best 3-point shooters in the league, opposing defenses had to respect Redick, which opened things up inside for Embiid.

But with the signing of Al Horford, there wasn’t enough money left over to pay Redick. He had been a defensive liability in the past two playoffs anyhow, so his loss on offense would be offset, went the thinking, by the improved defense of Richardson in his spot.

For good measure, the Sixers also let backup point guard T.J. McConnell walk. A scrappy, popular player whom LeBron James had tried to get Cleveland to trade for a couple years ago, he was jettisoned even though, since they held his Bird rights, they could pay him whatever they wanted despite being over the salary cap.

Blunder: Embiid felt isolated and abandoned to start the season. He later admitted on Redick’s podcast he ‘felt uncomfortable’ and ‘was not himself‘.

The Sixers oddly seem to always get rid of teammates Embiid is friends with. Before this year it was Justin Anderson, a decent role player, who was given the heave ho and, before him, Nerlens Noel.

One just has to look across the street at the Eagles and their handling of their franchise player, Carson Wentz, for some guidance. They make sure he is comfortable in his role, the other quarterbacks are good teammates and get along well together and, wow, how many times did they bring back his close friend, wide receiver Jordan Matthews, despite a lack of production.

The Sixers instead strip Embiid of teammates he likes or plays well alongside, insert players who will make things more difficult for him to post up and add lots of poor passers who can not get him the ball.

No wonder he was ticked off. Doesn’t every front office wants to get their best player feeling like they don’t care about him (sarcasm).