The love affair with Philadelphia

[sahara]

Pleasepleasepleeease go to some phillyblogs. I am so tired of these pro-tankingphillyloving Celtics "fans". Go away and root the disgusting "team". Please.

[RAAAAAAAANDY]

Pleasepleasepleeease go to some phillyblogs. I am so tired of these pro-tankingphillyloving Celtics "fans". Go away and root the disgusting "team". Please.

Convincing argument 

[spikelovetheCelts]

The Sixers are a long-time rival surpassed only by the Fakers.  I don't like them and I hate cheez whiz on a steak sandwich. Also think Hinkie's going to crash and burn myself.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Cjbx277moI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

When I think of this thread this comes to mine. Sixers are no. 2 on my hate meter.

[LarBrd33]

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

[D.o.s.]

I don't love philly roster or any single player yet by any stretch. Some of the moves they have made are pretty ugly as well. But I admire their guts to go full tank mode. I wouldn't want to C's to do it that way only because  it is too much risk IMO. You may have to suck 5 years before you are good. By then the first talent crop you drafted are already FAs and may walk cause they hate all the sucking so long. Then again if they hit like OKC and pay their players they are golden. I say good luck to them and hope it's a epic Atlantic division with a Good Knicks, 76ers, and C's. (NOT Nets)

What moves have they made that you think are ugly?  They are not just tanking to get better.  They have traded for several good 1st round picks and a bunch of 2nd rounders.  They have a lot of cap space available.  Their first talent crop consists of Noel (2nd year) and Saric (still in Europe so not under contract yet).  Players in their 1st contract become restricted free agents.  The only way they can just walk away is if they give up a lot of money by taking their qualifying offer.  Monroe did it this year but it doesn't happen very often.

I don't think my opinion would matter to you as I can tell you are all in with Philly but here it is. What I find ugly is waiving numerous NBA players though just bench quality is bad business. Taking on salary and cap hits in added years in some of the waivers for low 1st doesn't help as low 1st usually just net you bench players. 2nd round picks hardly ever make past 4 years in the NBA so those are probably garbage. I like the higher picks like the Laker one "potentially" but when you give up a player with talent and potential to get it it's just going in circles. Even when they moved Young they didn't get much just moved him to be a worse team, no good compensation for a player that was producing at okay $. KJ looked like a draft steal but he could have won them a few games by himself so he got traded, smh. The things I like that Philly has done is the drafting and the "guts" to put a DL team out every night to have a horrible record guaranteeing a top 5 pick. The waiver scrubs that philly fans want to call players are a not even worth talking about either. Hink isn't a genius he just has guts. Being as bad a as possible isn't hard. Getting low picks for NBA players isn't hard. Having cap space comes from not having any one on the team worth paying. Had Hink been scoring better deals I'd be impressed but right now his job is easy.

They got a mid 1st round pick for Thad Young who was a pending FA if he opted out(was going to happen). That pick could be anywhere between 11-16. For a slightly above average PF who can't really defend or rebound the position that well. Thad Young's trade value after half a season? The corpse of Kevin Garnett returning for half a season of feel good reunion videos in Minny.

KJ got traded because he is a pending RFA, is probably going to get overpaid, does nothing offensively and he got back a guy picked early in the 2nd + an early 2nd round pick. Hinkie essentially turned an early 2nd round pick for (2) early 2nd round picks...

2nd round picks are not garbage, just stop.

Taking on salary cap for a low first doesn't help? How? It's a first round pick, good players tend to be available late. The more chances you have to hit on one of those lotto tickets the better. If nothing else it is ammo to trade up.

Ish Smith, a 5 year journeyman who has played for like 8 teams has outperformed MCW this year. The fact that we got a probable top 10 pick for a guy who fits that statement is absurdly good value.

And you're completely ignoring that he essentially turned Jrue Holiday into 3 first round picks.

Those are some very weak excuses. Not wanting to pay guys? Really when you are at the cap min. Also most seconds are garbage unless they are like Philly's own. Oh C's own those. But good try. I like their drafting and guts, nothing else. Get over it Philly fans.

Those aren't weak excuses.  How is the Young trade any different than the Green trade except for the fact that Hinkie got much better value (mid 1st rounder vs. probable two seconds)?  There are plenty of cheap role players.  How is overpaying for role players and wasting cap space a good thing to do?  How is Hinkie taking on McGee's salary for a 1st significantly different from Ainge taking on Wallace's salary in exchange for an extra 1st?  Why should Hinkie have held on to MCW rather than trade him for the very good Lakers 1st?  Yes, second rounders are often misses.  That's why accumulating a bunch of them cheaply is a good thing to do.  Of the five second rounders Philly has this draft, two are currently at 35 and 37.

Age of players and prime years is a huge difference between guys DA traded and guys Hink traded. Hink gave up promising long term players for little to just get worse. DA didn't trade AB or Sully. Do you get it?

What promising long term players did he give up just to get a little worse?  He got at mid 1st rounder for Young.  He got a top 10 pick for MCW.  He turned Jrue Holliday into Noel, Saric and the return of their own 2017 1st rounder.  Notice all the value he got back.  He's not dumping anyone just to lose a few games.  Why should age of players matter?  Once you decide a player isn't someone you want to keep, you should trade that player when you get a good offer for them.  Ainge hasn't traded AB because he's only been offered late 1sts.  With his injury and weight issues, Sully is probably worth even less.  Ainge will trade anyone on this roster, even Smart, if he gets a good enough return for them.   

You just named two young promising players that could have contributed. Add KJ then add all the vets they cut that could have contributed. Everyone knows he was trading to tank. You are in denial if you dont think it was all for the tank. Return wasn't his concern getting DL bad was.

What contributing vets have we cut? Cut means something. Words mean things.

You're an idiot. I'm just going to say it. I've used facts as a cudgel against your cranium yet your head apparently is a rock. Here's a list of assets we've obtained for guys we... cut?

-Miami 2015 (top 10 protected pick)
-Lakers 2015(top 5 protected pick)
-New Orleans #10 Pick, flipped for #12 overall and 2017 76ers pick
-Nerlens Noel
-Jerami Grant
-Isaiah Canaan
-Denver 2nd
-OKC top 18 protected pick
-Orl 2nd
-I can't count the # of 2nd picks coming in. We have 5 this year.

I'm done with this stupidity. You just don't know what you're talking about. I've blasted some of the guys Sixers fans champion in this thread. The reality is though, that the Sixers have gotten a ton for the guys they've gotten rid of.

Why dont check your teams transactions? Better yet go back to the 76ers board that is were you can find plenty of people that might join your homer views. The rest of NBA fans don't need the 76er trolls posting about superstars and championships that may never come to be. Your GM and your team are the ultimate tankers don't try to sell it as any thing different here. Enjoy your DL games.

Please. Refute anything I've said.

Welcome to reality. You want to fit facts to an ill informed opinion, and I'm bringing that ignorance back to reality. Deal with it.

Lol dude what facts? We're are talking about opinions on the net for the players and moves. I say the trades have been too geared to be worse and tank. Your own 76ers fans had issues with some of the trades. You name assets like they are locks. You even forget where MCW was drafted when getting a possible worse pick slot in comparison with a 2016 LAL pick. That may be a loss. Oh and again the scrub players like they are border line all stars. Future picks as if they are guaranteed at the top of the draft. 2nds rounders as if they a big deal. You getting mad cause I'm not putting those trades up as good but straight tank trades. Take a look at where your team is in the standings bro. You are tanking and your players suck that is reality. Embid can be the new Oden. If Noel for his D is a superstar why isn't Smart? Please with your foolish asset talk go back to Libertyballess

You're mental. You're just making things up that have never happened now.

Where did I say Noel was a superstar? Although he's definitely a better player than Marcus Smart because he's a better defender.

You haven't supported your opinion with anything but more of your opinion. You said he got bad returns in the . If you believe that, you are a moron. Jrue Holiday for 3 first round picks? Whenever you have the opportunity to refuse 3 first round picks(two in the top 10) for an average start at the league's deepest position you totally turn it down. That's just what you do.

What scrub player have I called a borderline all star?

What future pick have I said was guaranteed at the top of the draft? MCW was picked at 11. a year and a half ago. In that time his biggest weakness has shown no improvement. You don't hang onto a guy you don't like because of "well he's worth less than the pick we're being offered but technically he was the 11 pick and if an awful team lead by a terrible player that uses 35% of his teams possession might leap to pick 12." What kind of GM would analyze trade value like that?

The fan of a team with a losing record in a terrible conference just dropped "check the standings." Seriously? You realize that for you to win a championship you still need to find the two best players on those teams. It's not impossible and Ainge is a good GM, but the fact that you've stocked a roster full of role players before having the roles of them to play doesn't make you closer to a championship.

Here's the hilarious thing. Hinkie and Ainge are using the exact same strategy. Yet your butt hurt never stops.

Not wanting things to be true doesn't make them false. That's not how life works.

I wouldn't trade Smart straight up for Noel. I think you are over valuing Noel. He's got practically no game on offense and is lost on Defense.

And are you a Sixers fan? Cause....

One thing I learned a while back was how jealous Philly people are. I went to a double header NCAA tourney about 8 years ago. Uconn was playing Kentucky back when Rondo was on the team and Villanova was playing Arizona. They were in different regions but they were both set to play at the Wachovia center in Philly. The Philly crowd actually got more into the Uconn game, which they had no team to root for, because of how much they were jealous of Uconn. The whole game, the crowd was pretty loud booing Uconn. Then the Villanova game, I felt like I was more into rooting for them, since they were a bigeast team, then the actual Philly fans.

Another thing I dislike about Philly people is how they think they own the cheese steak. I've had plenty of steak and cheeses that were just as good at other places.

Lost on defense? Please explain, he's the only player in the NBA who is in the top 10 for blocks and steals. He's great at PnR defense and protects the rim. He's one of the best rookie defenders ever. He's in a completely different league defensively than any other rookie in this class. He's going to be peak Marcus Camby for a decade if he doesn't get hurt.

And what exactly does Smart provide offensively? He's inefficient, can;t get to the rim and a below average 3 pt shooter.

There's a reason Noel is in the convo for ROY and Smart is not.

Marcus Camby? Camby was a very disappointing player.

He was the defensive player of the year and top 3 defender in the NBA for several years in his prime. So...

He was still a disappointment relative to the expectations on his game coming out of college. Of course, some of that may be me misremembering the hype around Camby since he was a UMass product and as such a pretty popular player regionally.

[Moranis]

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I posted somewhere on here fairly recently that I expect Philly to target and go after both Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler this summer.  Both are restricted so I don't know if they end up with either, but even if they get just one I think they make the playoffs next year as I too think they add Russell or Mudiay to their big guys (which is why I think Leonard and Butler will be the target).  Add the legit wing and that team will be a young team on the rise.

[Evantime34]

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I posted somewhere on here fairly recently that I expect Philly to target and go after both Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler this summer.  Both are restricted so I don't know if they end up with either, but even if they get just one I think they make the playoffs next year as I too think they add Russell or Mudiay to their big guys (which is why I think Leonard and Butler will be the target).  Add the legit wing and that team will be a young team on the rise.

I don't see either of those guys agreeing to go to Philly, especially since they will have their pick of max offer sheets to sign.

I think it's a long shot a top restricted free agent would sign an offer in Boston, it's closer to an impossibility that one of those guys signs with Philly.

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I could see them target Mudiay, because he's more explosive and could have the higher ceiling, but I think they go with one of those two or Winslow.

[celticsclay]

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I posted somewhere on here fairly recently that I expect Philly to target and go after both Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler this summer.  Both are restricted so I don't know if they end up with either, but even if they get just one I think they make the playoffs next year as I too think they add Russell or Mudiay to their big guys (which is why I think Leonard and Butler will be the target).  Add the legit wing and that team will be a young team on the rise.

I don't see either of those guys agreeing to go to Philly, especially since they will have their pick of max offer sheets to sign.

I think it's a long shot a top restricted free agent would sign an offer in Boston, it's closer to an impossibility that one of those guys signs with Philly.

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I could see them target Mudiay, because he's more explosive and could have the higher ceiling, but I think they go with one of those two or Winslow.

This, I really don't understand why one of these guys would consider Philly (and to a lesser extent Boston). In addition to both leaving perennially playoff contenders, it would require them ignoring all other good teams and all other more favorable cities to go play for a team with a bunch of rookies in a cold weather city. Do people seriously see that happening?

[Rondo9]

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I posted somewhere on here fairly recently that I expect Philly to target and go after both Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler this summer.  Both are restricted so I don't know if they end up with either, but even if they get just one I think they make the playoffs next year as I too think they add Russell or Mudiay to their big guys (which is why I think Leonard and Butler will be the target).  Add the legit wing and that team will be a young team on the rise.

I don't see either of those guys agreeing to go to Philly, especially since they will have their pick of max offer sheets to sign.

I think it's a long shot a top restricted free agent would sign an offer in Boston, it's closer to an impossibility that one of those guys signs with Philly.

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I could see them target Mudiay, because he's more explosive and could have the higher ceiling, but I think they go with one of those two or Winslow.

This, I really don't understand why one of these guys would consider Philly (and to a lesser extent Boston). In addition to both leaving perennially playoff contenders, it would require them ignoring all other good teams and all other more favorable cities to go play for a team with a bunch of rookies in a cold weather city. Do people seriously see that happening?

If the pitch  is good why not?

[LarBrd33]

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I posted somewhere on here fairly recently that I expect Philly to target and go after both Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler this summer.  Both are restricted so I don't know if they end up with either, but even if they get just one I think they make the playoffs next year as I too think they add Russell or Mudiay to their big guys (which is why I think Leonard and Butler will be the target).  Add the legit wing and that team will be a young team on the rise.

I don't see either of those guys agreeing to go to Philly, especially since they will have their pick of max offer sheets to sign.

I think it's a long shot a top restricted free agent would sign an offer in Boston, it's closer to an impossibility that one of those guys signs with Philly.

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I could see them target Mudiay, because he's more explosive and could have the higher ceiling, but I think they go with one of those two or Winslow.

This, I really don't understand why one of these guys would consider Philly (and to a lesser extent Boston). In addition to both leaving perennially playoff contenders, it would require them ignoring all other good teams and all other more favorable cities to go play for a team with a bunch of rookies in a cold weather city. Do people seriously see that happening?

I could see Philly as a free agent destination.

Saw the stat earlier today that since the all-star break, they have put up 94.5 points per 100 possessions with Nerlens Noel on the court.  That would be the league's best defense.  Look at their entire season as a whole (and not just Noel's post-allstar surge or the minutes he's on the court) and they have had a top 11 defense this year.     Add Joel Embiid, who should be a formidable big man if he's healthy... and a star prospect through this draft...  That's a pretty desirable destination for a young free agent.  You know the rim is protected for the next 10+ years.  You know there will be plenty of offensive opportunities.   Joining a few budding young phenoms might be a good plan.

But sure, it might take another year for everyone to be sold on what Embiid and Mudiay/Russell will bring to the table. 

[celticsclay]

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I posted somewhere on here fairly recently that I expect Philly to target and go after both Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler this summer.  Both are restricted so I don't know if they end up with either, but even if they get just one I think they make the playoffs next year as I too think they add Russell or Mudiay to their big guys (which is why I think Leonard and Butler will be the target).  Add the legit wing and that team will be a young team on the rise.

I don't see either of those guys agreeing to go to Philly, especially since they will have their pick of max offer sheets to sign.

I think it's a long shot a top restricted free agent would sign an offer in Boston, it's closer to an impossibility that one of those guys signs with Philly.

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I could see them target Mudiay, because he's more explosive and could have the higher ceiling, but I think they go with one of those two or Winslow.

This, I really don't understand why one of these guys would consider Philly (and to a lesser extent Boston). In addition to both leaving perennially playoff contenders, it would require them ignoring all other good teams and all other more favorable cities to go play for a team with a bunch of rookies in a cold weather city. Do people seriously see that happening?

I could see Philly as a free agent destination.

Saw the stat earlier today that since the all-star break, they have put up 94.5 points per 100 possessions with Nerlens Noel on the court.  That would be the league's best defense.  Look at their entire season as a whole (and not just Noel's post-allstar surge or the minutes he's on the court) and they have had a top 11 defense this year.     Add Joel Embiid, who should be a formidable big man if he's healthy... and a star prospect through this draft...  That's a pretty desirable destination for a young free agent.  You know the rim is protected for the next 10+ years.  You know there will be plenty of offensive opportunities.   Joining a few budding young phenoms might be a good plan.

But sure, it might take another year for everyone to be sold on what Embiid and Mudiay/Russell will bring to the table.

Wait you like Noel? I don't think you have ever expressed that before. Tell me about his post all star game splits...

[celticsclay]

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I posted somewhere on here fairly recently that I expect Philly to target and go after both Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler this summer.  Both are restricted so I don't know if they end up with either, but even if they get just one I think they make the playoffs next year as I too think they add Russell or Mudiay to their big guys (which is why I think Leonard and Butler will be the target).  Add the legit wing and that team will be a young team on the rise.

I don't see either of those guys agreeing to go to Philly, especially since they will have their pick of max offer sheets to sign.

I think it's a long shot a top restricted free agent would sign an offer in Boston, it's closer to an impossibility that one of those guys signs with Philly.

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I could see them target Mudiay, because he's more explosive and could have the higher ceiling, but I think they go with one of those two or Winslow.

This, I really don't understand why one of these guys would consider Philly (and to a lesser extent Boston). In addition to both leaving perennially playoff contenders, it would require them ignoring all other good teams and all other more favorable cities to go play for a team with a bunch of rookies in a cold weather city. Do people seriously see that happening?

If the pitch  is good why not?

For Leonard the pitch involves convincing a guy that plays for a coach that is regarded as the best in the game and an organization that is considered a model of excellence in a state with no income tax (I think this is accurate) to come play for a coach that is unproven (he may be promising but nobody can claim he is proven winner) on a team pinning its' hopes on a guy coming off back and knee injuries and a high lottery pick, that won 20 games the previous season and is located in a cold east coast city coming off a historically painful winter for a franchise that has had about one relevant season since the 80's. That has to be one hell of a pitch....

[LarBrd33]

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I posted somewhere on here fairly recently that I expect Philly to target and go after both Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler this summer.  Both are restricted so I don't know if they end up with either, but even if they get just one I think they make the playoffs next year as I too think they add Russell or Mudiay to their big guys (which is why I think Leonard and Butler will be the target).  Add the legit wing and that team will be a young team on the rise.

I don't see either of those guys agreeing to go to Philly, especially since they will have their pick of max offer sheets to sign.

I think it's a long shot a top restricted free agent would sign an offer in Boston, it's closer to an impossibility that one of those guys signs with Philly.

Figure they'll target D'Angelo Russell in the draft?  Russell, Noel, Embiid will be an interesting team to watch next year.  Maybe they'll use some cap space to sign another impact player.  Eventually Saric will join the party... and then whoever they get with the Lakers 1st next year.   I could see them in the playoffs in 2 years... maybe as soon as next year given how bad the East is.

I could see them target Mudiay, because he's more explosive and could have the higher ceiling, but I think they go with one of those two or Winslow.

This, I really don't understand why one of these guys would consider Philly (and to a lesser extent Boston). In addition to both leaving perennially playoff contenders, it would require them ignoring all other good teams and all other more favorable cities to go play for a team with a bunch of rookies in a cold weather city. Do people seriously see that happening?

I could see Philly as a free agent destination.

Saw the stat earlier today that since the all-star break, they have put up 94.5 points per 100 possessions with Nerlens Noel on the court.  That would be the league's best defense.  Look at their entire season as a whole (and not just Noel's post-allstar surge or the minutes he's on the court) and they have had a top 11 defense this year.     Add Joel Embiid, who should be a formidable big man if he's healthy... and a star prospect through this draft...  That's a pretty desirable destination for a young free agent.  You know the rim is protected for the next 10+ years.  You know there will be plenty of offensive opportunities.   Joining a few budding young phenoms might be a good plan.

But sure, it might take another year for everyone to be sold on what Embiid and Mudiay/Russell will bring to the table.

Wait you like Noel? I don't think you have ever expressed that before. Tell me about his post all star game splits...

Embiid will be even better.

[Celtics18]

If I were the Sixers, I'd be tempted to trade one of Embiid or Noel. 

[LarBrd33]

If I were the Sixers, I'd be tempted to trade one of Embiid or Noel.

I think Noel and embiid can play together.  If they land the top pick they might have a challenge, but they could probably trade a couple spots down and pick up some more excellent pieces in the process.

Or they could just keep all three for a year.  Three big rotation of embiid and Noel with towns off the bench.  Eventually they can just trade one for an Allstar at a position of need.