The Philadelphia 76ers may be an idle party right now thanks to their elimination from the playoffs, but they do have some indirect interest in what is currently happening. The NBA Finals are almost underway with the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks duking it out for the championship, but the Sixers still have bear some nexus in this exciting matchup, albeit in a regretful way.
Julian Champagnie, whom the 76ers infamously cut in 2023 to make way for Mac McClung and his Dunk Contest bid, was huge for San Antonio in their Game 7 win and Finals clincher over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending champs. He finished the night with 20 points and six rebounds, swishing six three-pointers. If anything, he clearly reminded Philly's brain trust of that terrible mistake they made.
The St. John's alum, who somehow went undrafted in 2022, ended up being a major contributor for a team that is now just four wins away from an unprecedented championship. The Spurs quickly gave him a chance to stay in the league when the 76ers gave up on him, and now they are reaping the rewards of reposing that amount of trust and confidence on an unheralded cog.
Julian Champagnie laughs in the face of the 76ers with a splendid Game 7 performance
The 76ers, just like any other team, have always needed someone who has good size, can shoot threes, and be competent on the defensive end. Well, that is the actual make-up of Champagnie's skill set, which makes this performance of his an even more triggering signal for the Philly faithful.
To make things sweeter for the Spurs (and more bitter for the 76ers), Champagnie remains under contract for next season on a massive discount. San Antonio's brass recognized his potential, and having realized it fully, both camps are savoring what they have given to and received from each other.
Champagnie is just another reminder of why the 76ers were right to move on from Daryl Morey. The front office was so engrossed with established veterans at that point that players like Champagnie were easily tossed aside. Their pivot to developing young players came a tad too late, and now, they are seeing a lot of their former players stand out with other ball clubs.
No one will really remember Julian Champagnie being on the 76ers anymore, as his body of work is entrenched in San Antonio. That is all Philly's fault though, and after his splendid performance in Game 7, all fans can do is blame the front office without any rewarding effect whatsoever.
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