All Things Philadelphia 76ers (merged Sixers threads)

[celticsclay]

Sixers keep playing this well, my Lebron James to Philly scenario next summer won't seem so crazy.

They’re 7-6 and lost to the Kings last week.  They’re not god-awful like they were for the past four seasons, but they don’t seem to be anywhere near the level of attracting an aging superstar looking to win another title.  And, compared to some NBA cities, Philly isn’t the most attractive.

(They’d also need to do a small salary dump too, but finding someone to take Bayless for a year shouldn’t be too hard given their draft assets.  But that’s not the primary reason your scenario is crazy).

Come on now, remember Cleveland was 33-49 when James decided to go back.  I understand it was his home, but they weren't exactly a juggernaut.  What Cleveland had was a budding superstar in Kyrie Irving and the #1 pick in the draft in Wiggins.  Philly is actually in a much better position than Cleveland was and it isn't close (assuming Embiid and Simmons are relatively healthy).  They will likely be a playoff team.  They will have two budding superstars in Embiid and Simmons (not even counting the most recent #1 pick), and they will have a lot more and better young players to fill in on the bench or to be traded for vets (Fultz, Saric, Covington, etc. are way better than Waiters, Thompson, Bennett, etc.). 

The Sixers are in the East.  They have 2 or 3 potential superstars.  They have a ton of young player assets and first round picks that can be traded (including the LA or Sacto pick, which should be highly valuable).  They can sign James without giving up anything of value (as you say just dumping Bayless which is easy enough). 

If James leaves Cleveland, and I still think that is a big if, the Sixers are one of the very limited few teams that actually make a lot of sense.  Far more sense than the Lakers who have worse young players, are a much worse team without a draft pick, and play in the West.

Lebron has said he has dreams of owning a Franchise and will do it. He wants to build an empire much beyond basketball. There would certainly be a lot of advantages off the court of playing in LA (He also clearly likes the celebrity life). There is very much a chance that his next destination he plays for has things like this.

Here is a nice article from the other day about how he could fit in New York:
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2017/11/13/16644278/lebron-james-kristaps-porzingis-knicks

I honestly think Philly is one of the least likely destinations for him to end up....

 I also find it funny how excited people are getting for the 76ers winning a close game against the Clippers missing half their rotation. The Clippers have lost 6 in a row and are missing Galanari, Beverly and Teodosic. Their starting lineup included Thornwell, Wesley Johnson and Austin Rivers last night.. do we really want to throw a parade for that?

Meanwhile the Timberwolves are 8-5, the Pistons are 10-3 and the Pelicans frankenstein frontcourt has won 7 out of 10 but we are sitting here talking about Lebron going to Philly. ****

[Androslav]

https://www.si.com/nba/2017/11/14/joel-embiid-ben-simmons-76ers-nba-most-exciting-duo

I don't know.  The Porzingis/Frankie Nicotine duo is pretty exciting too.

I dislike that term for Frankie. It makes no sense except that Bill Simmons was ignorant about how to pronounce his last name and guys (first his employees, then wider audience) repeat it by default.
Kneely-key-nah = Nicotine
Cmon, even Bill on his bad day should be better than that.
Nicotine sounds so unsportly and Frank looks like a real baller.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Sixers keep playing this well, my Lebron James to Philly scenario next summer won't seem so crazy.

Interesting. In that scenario James stays in the East, which is an added benefit.

However, it seems obvious they would need one more veteran piece/scorer/shooter. Portland's backcourt of Lillard and McCullom are possible targets if they underwhelm again this year.

Fultz becomes trade bait at that point. Ideally, they also resign Reddick to a team-friendly deal.

If the sixers started McCullom-Covington-James-Simmons-Embiid next year, that would be a tough team to beat. Backups would be Reddick-Holmes-Saric-McConnell-TLC-Korkmaz-Anderson.

I assume you're talking about NBA2K with salary set to "off".

After Embiid's contract kicks in, they will have 41 million in space to sign James (and potentially Reddick). They then trade Bayless, Fultz, and probably Anderson for McCullom.

Its doable with as many small contracts and rookie contracts they have on their team.

they will likely renegotiate and extend Covington though, which will take up a fair chunk of that cap space.  If they wait on Covington, then you are correct.

Good point. That's an issue.

It could happen any number of ways. My point is that the Sixers would have an asset (Fultz), contract fillers (Anderson and Bayless), and draft picks to make a move to bring in another veteran to help Lebron.

[celticsclay]

Sixers keep playing this well, my Lebron James to Philly scenario next summer won't seem so crazy.

They’re 7-6 and lost to the Kings last week.  They’re not god-awful like they were for the past four seasons, but they don’t seem to be anywhere near the level of attracting an aging superstar looking to win another title.  And, compared to some NBA cities, Philly isn’t the most attractive.

(They’d also need to do a small salary dump too, but finding someone to take Bayless for a year shouldn’t be too hard given their draft assets.  But that’s not the primary reason your scenario is crazy).

Come on now, remember Cleveland was 33-49 when James decided to go back. I understand it was his home, but they weren't exactly a juggernaut.  What Cleveland had was a budding superstar in Kyrie Irving and the #1 pick in the draft in Wiggins.  Philly is actually in a much better position than Cleveland was and it isn't close (assuming Embiid and Simmons are relatively healthy).  They will likely be a playoff team.  They will have two budding superstars in Embiid and Simmons (not even counting the most recent #1 pick), and they will have a lot more and better young players to fill in on the bench or to be traded for vets (Fultz, Saric, Covington, etc. are way better than Waiters, Thompson, Bennett, etc.). 

The Sixers are in the East.  They have 2 or 3 potential superstars.  They have a ton of young player assets and first round picks that can be traded (including the LA or Sacto pick, which should be highly valuable).  They can sign James without giving up anything of value (as you say just dumping Bayless which is easy enough). 

If James leaves Cleveland, and I still think that is a big if, the Sixers are one of the very limited few teams that actually make a lot of sense.  Far more sense than the Lakers who have worse young players, are a much worse team without a draft pick, and play in the West.

This was 100% the reason he went there. Everything else was completely irrelevant if it wasn't his home. Obviously they could have been such a bad situation that he wouldn't consider it, but if that was any other team locating outside his home state he wasn't even slightly considering it. 

[Eddie20]

Sixers keep playing this well, my Lebron James to Philly scenario next summer won't seem so crazy.

Interesting. In that scenario James stays in the East, which is an added benefit.

However, it seems obvious they would need one more veteran piece/scorer/shooter. Portland's backcourt of Lillard and McCullom are possible targets if they underwhelm again this year.

Fultz becomes trade bait at that point. Ideally, they also resign Reddick to a team-friendly deal.

If the sixers started McCullom-Covington-James-Simmons-Embiid next year, that would be a tough team to beat. Backups would be Reddick-Holmes-Saric-McConnell-TLC-Korkmaz-Anderson.

I assume you're talking about NBA2K with salary set to "off".

After Embiid's contract kicks in, they will have 41 million in space to sign James (and potentially Reddick). They then trade Bayless, Fultz, and probably Anderson for McCullom.

Its doable with as many small contracts and rookie contracts they have on their team.

you can't just make up some fake trade scenario that would never happen. Mccollum is probably the best 2 in the game. Why would Portland get rid of him for the biggest draft bust and filler? Just to help lebron?

Exactly. So they trade away a 2 guard that can shoot in order to add a PG that can't shoot, while Lillard is still there. Plus, McCullum is going to make around 26M next season. Plus x2, in this mythical world Redick is taking a team friendly just because I guess he likes the cleanliness of the city. Plus x3, it doesn't factor in Covington's extension. Plus x4, it doesn't factor in cap holds for picks.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Sixers keep playing this well, my Lebron James to Philly scenario next summer won't seem so crazy.

Interesting. In that scenario James stays in the East, which is an added benefit.

However, it seems obvious they would need one more veteran piece/scorer/shooter. Portland's backcourt of Lillard and McCullom are possible targets if they underwhelm again this year.

Fultz becomes trade bait at that point. Ideally, they also resign Reddick to a team-friendly deal.

If the sixers started McCullom-Covington-James-Simmons-Embiid next year, that would be a tough team to beat. Backups would be Reddick-Holmes-Saric-McConnell-TLC-Korkmaz-Anderson.

I assume you're talking about NBA2K with salary set to "off".

After Embiid's contract kicks in, they will have 41 million in space to sign James (and potentially Reddick). They then trade Bayless, Fultz, and probably Anderson for McCullom.

Its doable with as many small contracts and rookie contracts they have on their team.

you can't just make up some fake trade scenario that would never happen. Mccollum is probably the best 2 in the game. Why would Portland get rid of him for the biggest draft bust and filler? Just to help lebron?

Exactly. So they trade away a 2 guard that can shoot in order to add a PG that can't shoot, while Lillard is still there. Plus, McCullum is going to make around 26M next season. Plus x2, in this mythical world Redick is taking a team friendly just because I guess he likes the cleanliness of the city. Plus x3, it doesn't factor in Covington's extension. Plus x4, it doesn't factor in cap holds for picks.

If there is one thing that has become obvious in recent years is that creative GMs can make things happen. There are a bunch of ways it could work.

The point is to get James-Simmons-Embiid core, and then trade Fultz-Bayless-Filler for another shooting/scoring/guard. Even if they don't wind up with Reddick and/or Covington, that'd still be a great core moving forward, especially with the other guys on good contracts coming off the bench.

Its not like I want it to happen. I'd rather it not, but denying its possibility lacks objectivity.

[Fafnir]

Embiid would hate playing with LeBron and Simmons would be minimized too. I think those two players in particular would be very bad fits with an aging LBJ.

[Moranis]

Sixers keep playing this well, my Lebron James to Philly scenario next summer won't seem so crazy.

They’re 7-6 and lost to the Kings last week.  They’re not god-awful like they were for the past four seasons, but they don’t seem to be anywhere near the level of attracting an aging superstar looking to win another title.  And, compared to some NBA cities, Philly isn’t the most attractive.

(They’d also need to do a small salary dump too, but finding someone to take Bayless for a year shouldn’t be too hard given their draft assets.  But that’s not the primary reason your scenario is crazy).

Come on now, remember Cleveland was 33-49 when James decided to go back.  I understand it was his home, but they weren't exactly a juggernaut.  What Cleveland had was a budding superstar in Kyrie Irving and the #1 pick in the draft in Wiggins.  Philly is actually in a much better position than Cleveland was and it isn't close (assuming Embiid and Simmons are relatively healthy).  They will likely be a playoff team.  They will have two budding superstars in Embiid and Simmons (not even counting the most recent #1 pick), and they will have a lot more and better young players to fill in on the bench or to be traded for vets (Fultz, Saric, Covington, etc. are way better than Waiters, Thompson, Bennett, etc.). 

The Sixers are in the East.  They have 2 or 3 potential superstars.  They have a ton of young player assets and first round picks that can be traded (including the LA or Sacto pick, which should be highly valuable).  They can sign James without giving up anything of value (as you say just dumping Bayless which is easy enough). 

If James leaves Cleveland, and I still think that is a big if, the Sixers are one of the very limited few teams that actually make a lot of sense.  Far more sense than the Lakers who have worse young players, are a much worse team without a draft pick, and play in the West.

Lebron has said he has dreams of owning a Franchise and will do it. He wants to build an empire much beyond basketball. There would certainly be a lot of advantages off the court of playing in LA (He also clearly likes the celebrity life). There is very much a chance that his next destination he plays for has things like this.

Here is a nice article from the other day about how he could fit in New York:
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2017/11/13/16644278/lebron-james-kristaps-porzingis-knicks

I honestly think Philly is one of the least likely destinations for him to end up....

 I also find it funny how excited people are getting for the 76ers winning a close game against the Clippers missing half their rotation. The Clippers have lost 6 in a row and are missing Galanari, Beverly and Teodosic. Their starting lineup included Thornwell, Wesley Johnson and Austin Rivers last night.. do we really want to throw a parade for that?

Meanwhile the Timberwolves are 8-5, the Pistons are 10-3 and the Pelicans frankenstein frontcourt has won 7 out of 10 but we are sitting here talking about Lebron going to Philly. ****

New York has been playing surprisingly well and would actually be a possible landing spot for James, though they would need a lot more work than Philly, which is why I just don't see it as all that likely.

I agree James wants to do a lot of things, but he isn't going to own the Lakers.  He has a far greater chance of owning a piece of the Cavs then he does a pieces of the Lakers.  Jordan went to Charlotte to find a team to own.  The Bulls were never an option for him.  The major teams just won't sell a part of the team to James.  James already lives in LA in the summer.  His production team is doing all kinds of things.  He is investing in all kinds of businesses.  He doesn't need to be in LA to do any of that.

What James needs to do for his legacy is win more titles.  The Lakers are a terrible fit, if the goal is to win titles.  Heck, the Lakers won't even make the Finals in the West and might not even make the Conference Finals, even by adding James and George (or someone else).  That team just isn't good enough to beat the Warriors.  At least in the East, he will be in the Finals where anything can happen.

[celticsclay]

Embiid would hate playing with LeBron and Simmons would be minimized too. I think those two players in particular would be very bad fits with an aging LBJ.

Klay Thompson makes a lot more sense for them (and sense for himself). It is the opposite of Lebron going there and could actually happen.

[tazzmaniac]

Embiid would hate playing with LeBron and Simmons would be minimized too. I think those two players in particular would be very bad fits with an aging LBJ.

Klay Thompson makes a lot more sense for them (and sense for himself). It is the opposite of Lebron going there and could actually happen.

Thompson would be a much better fit stylistically and from a timeline perspective. 

[Moranis]

Embiid would hate playing with LeBron and Simmons would be minimized too. I think those two players in particular would be very bad fits with an aging LBJ.

Klay Thompson makes a lot more sense for them (and sense for himself). It is the opposite of Lebron going there and could actually happen.

Thompson would be a much better fit stylistically and from a timeline perspective.

true, but he isn't available and won't be a free agent when they will have cap space to sign him, which makes acquiring him far more difficult.

[celticsclay]

Embiid would hate playing with LeBron and Simmons would be minimized too. I think those two players in particular would be very bad fits with an aging LBJ.

Klay Thompson makes a lot more sense for them (and sense for himself). It is the opposite of Lebron going there and could actually happen.

Thompson would be a much better fit stylistically and from a timeline perspective.

true, but he isn't available and won't be a free agent when they will have cap space to sign him, which makes acquiring him far more difficult.

I mean can't all the crazy ideas people are throwing around for them getting Lebron just be applied to Thompson? They wouldn't really need Covington with Klay and could get rid of him to get cap space (Covs deal is supposed to be announced tomorrow). Klay would have a chance to shine a bit more on offense separate of Curry and Durant.

[Moranis]

Embiid would hate playing with LeBron and Simmons would be minimized too. I think those two players in particular would be very bad fits with an aging LBJ.

Klay Thompson makes a lot more sense for them (and sense for himself). It is the opposite of Lebron going there and could actually happen.

Thompson would be a much better fit stylistically and from a timeline perspective.

true, but he isn't available and won't be a free agent when they will have cap space to sign him, which makes acquiring him far more difficult.

I mean can't all the crazy ideas people are throwing around for them getting Lebron just be applied to Thompson? They wouldn't really need Covington with Klay and could get rid of him to get cap space (Covs deal is supposed to be announced tomorrow). Klay would have a chance to shine a bit more on offense separate of Curry and Durant.

Summer of 19 is a ways off.  They may have cap space by getting rid of Covington or they may not depending on this summer.  If they don't land any free agents in 18, I actually think Thompson will be their main target in 19 and they might very well get him (as I don't think GS is keeping both Klay and Dray long term and Dray seems like the more important player for them to keep - of course maybe Durant decides to "try it alone" and leave that summer allowing Klay to stay). 

[celticsclay]

Embiid would hate playing with LeBron and Simmons would be minimized too. I think those two players in particular would be very bad fits with an aging LBJ.

Klay Thompson makes a lot more sense for them (and sense for himself). It is the opposite of Lebron going there and could actually happen.

Thompson would be a much better fit stylistically and from a timeline perspective.

true, but he isn't available and won't be a free agent when they will have cap space to sign him, which makes acquiring him far more difficult.

I mean can't all the crazy ideas people are throwing around for them getting Lebron just be applied to Thompson? They wouldn't really need Covington with Klay and could get rid of him to get cap space (Covs deal is supposed to be announced tomorrow). Klay would have a chance to shine a bit more on offense separate of Curry and Durant.

Summer of 19 is a ways off.  They may have cap space by getting rid of Covington or they may not depending on this summer.  If they don't land any free agents in 18, I actually think Thompson will be their main target in 19 and they might very well get him (as I don't think GS is keeping both Klay and Dray long term and Dray seems like the more important player for them to keep - of course maybe Durant decides to "try it alone" and leave that summer allowing Klay to stay).

If the Warriors feel like they will lose him in free agency for nothing why wouldn't they take a prospect like Fultz over the summer and trade him to Philly?

[Moranis]

Embiid would hate playing with LeBron and Simmons would be minimized too. I think those two players in particular would be very bad fits with an aging LBJ.

Klay Thompson makes a lot more sense for them (and sense for himself). It is the opposite of Lebron going there and could actually happen.

Thompson would be a much better fit stylistically and from a timeline perspective.

true, but he isn't available and won't be a free agent when they will have cap space to sign him, which makes acquiring him far more difficult.

I mean can't all the crazy ideas people are throwing around for them getting Lebron just be applied to Thompson? They wouldn't really need Covington with Klay and could get rid of him to get cap space (Covs deal is supposed to be announced tomorrow). Klay would have a chance to shine a bit more on offense separate of Curry and Durant.

Summer of 19 is a ways off.  They may have cap space by getting rid of Covington or they may not depending on this summer.  If they don't land any free agents in 18, I actually think Thompson will be their main target in 19 and they might very well get him (as I don't think GS is keeping both Klay and Dray long term and Dray seems like the more important player for them to keep - of course maybe Durant decides to "try it alone" and leave that summer allowing Klay to stay).

If the Warriors feel like they will lose him in free agency for nothing why wouldn't they take a prospect like Fultz over the summer and trade him to Philly?

Because they will likely be the two time defending NBA Champions and going for a 3rd and trading Klay makes that much more difficult.  Because trading Klay for a prospect, might turn off Durant and Green causing them to leave and thus destroying a dynasty.  Because Philly might not want to give up real assets for an expiring contract, especially when they could theoretically land him for nothing the following summer.  I'm sure there are other reasons that GS trading Klay next summer is a bad idea.