Whenever the waters are still, you can count on the Philadelphia 76ers to try and snap that peace. Never a team with a penchant for solitude nor quiet sailing, the Daryl Morey-led franchise will once again look to make noise in the coming offseason — even with their hands tied with a rope that will be difficult to unknot.
Philly will be operating within a much more concentric zone this time around. Unlike last year, where having the deepest pocket in the league allowed them to go on a conspicuous spending spree, the front office will need to fight tooth and nail just to effectuate some much-needed improvements to the roster.
Having a top draft pick will be colossal, but the work does not end on draft night for this team. The 76ers are clearly pieces away from contention (plurality emphasized), and given their current circumstances, mere changes at the margins could be far from enough to vault them into the title hunt.
And now, a farfetched scenario that could save them is now out of the woods.
The 76ers can no longer fantasize about a Zion Williamson trade
Joe Dumars, who was hired by the Pelicans shortly after the regular season ended to serve as their new president of basketball operations, has finally settled the dust on the Zion Williamson talking point, which has gotten some momentum as of late following some strange developments.
There was rumors recently about Williamson being available for trade, with executives around the league apparently not keeping him in high regard value-wise. However, that should now be put to rest after Dumars went on record to profess the team’s full commitment to the superstar.
”I've had some real honest conversations with him. Some real direct and honest conversations. We're going to go forward with Zion. He's going to continue to be a focal point here as we go forward.”
Similarly, one possible, albeit farfetched option for the 76ers is now out of the realm of reality. It appears that the Williamson gamble in Louisiana will continue, even if the franchise has gotten nowhere due to the All-Star’s recurring injury issues.
Williamson would have been the perfect pivot for Philly had he turned out to be actually obtainable. The Joel Embiid situation has remained murky for the franchise, and Zion would have been a dream fit with Tyrese Maxey and the others.
For now, the Philadelphia 76ers will continue to explore their options — even if they remain pipe dreams. After all, you never know what could unfold in this league, although the front office cannot spend too much energy on hypotheticals.
At least for now.