I'm happy for Philly fans that they are excited. It will make it even more fun when the are starting over again, again, in a couple, four, five years.
I'll genuinely be surprised if they aren't a playoff team in the next 3 years. Even if they were at full strength right now that might be a team that could threaten for a playoff slot (with Embiid off the minutes restriction, Noel getting 20+ minutes and Simmons back).
Even with Embiid limited to 25 minutes per night and Simmons yet to make his debut, they are about even with the Timberwolves - which says a lot.
Philly is 10-25. Minny is 11-26.
What promise could you or Philly ownership make to the Philly fans that these players will hit their prime wearing a 76ers jersey? I don't see this as a given.
the shear amount more money Philly can offer is a pretty good start. I mean seriously, when was the last time a maximum level free agent left after his rookie contract. I think it was probably Shaq in the mid-90's and that was under a different cap system.
I don't even think players leaving on rookie deals is the problem. Lebron, Kevin Durant, Carmelo, Chris Paul, Lamarcus Aldridge, James Harden, Al Horford, Paul Milsap, Kevin Love, Dwight Howard, (soon to be) Demarcus Cousins, etc etc. are all guys that have played for multiple teams. Not one of them won a ring with the team that drafted them (for LBJ, he won the second time around).
The list of top 50 players that have stayed with the team that drafted them is getting smaller. The list of top guys who have won with the team that drafted them is even smaller: Kawhi, Curry, Thompson, Green, Dirk (I'm probably missing a guy, maybe two).
My point: I think there is a better chance than not that Philly is disassembled before Simmons/Embiid/Fultz (or whoever they draft) wins a ring. Not only is tanking bad for business/the fans, it doesn't guarantee squat.