The 11 Biggest mistakes in 76ers' history (and what they should've done instead)
By Tyler Watts
3. Andrew Bynum trade
A handful of disastrous moves led Philadelphia to embark on The Process, but the trade for Bynum was the backbone. The seven-footer was an All-Star and second-team All-NBA at 24 years old in 2012. The Sixers thought they were getting a building block and young star, but it became a total disaster.
They gave up Andre Iguodala, Nikola Vucevic, Maurice Harkless, and a first-round draft pick for Bynum and Jason Richardson. J-Rich was 32 and declining. He could still get buckets, but he was not the prize. Philadelphia parted with their best player, two promising young talents, and a first-rounder to get zero games from Bynum.
He dealt with knee issues, but things kept getting worse. Philadelphia had zero choice. They had to let him walk in free agency in 2013, despite trading so much to get him. It was a total disaster and one that certainly made the early years of The Process more painful.
Trade Andre Iguodala elsewhere
Philadelphia won just 35 regular season games but made the second round of the playoffs in 2012 where the Celtics beat them in seven games. Andre Iguodala was in his prime with Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young, Evan Turner, and Lou Williams as young talents. It was the makings of an exciting group. The Philadelphia 76ers needed more talent, but Bynum was not the answer.
It is impossible to know what other options Philly had on the table. Bynum was a promising young star when they acquired him, but trading Iggy for anything else may have helped the franchise avoid The Process.