Pretend You're Colangelo... what do you do?

[Who]

I would trade J.Okafor and J.Embiid and build my team around Nerlens Noel as franchise center.

I would bring Saric over when possible. Hopefully this summer. I'd be delighted with Jaylen Brown or Ingram if I miss out on Simmons. I would take Labassaire and start him alongside Noel happily. So a few strong options beyond Ben Simmons. Not reliant on a #1 pick. Good situation regardless.

It would depend on what I get for Okafor and Embiid whether the Sixers are 30-40 win team next year or have to spend another season in the 23-28 win range. It could go either way. I would be content to wait another year before trying to push the team forward. All these new draft picks this summer will make Philly very young. Waiting another year wouldn't be so bad.

[mef730]

If I'm Jerry Colangelo, as soon as I reach my office on my first day, I summon Hinkie and let him know how I like my coffee...

If I could give you two TPs, I would.

Mike

[MBunge]

Sacrifice as many goats, pigs and chickens as it takes for the gods to gift Philly with Ben Simmons.

Despite what some might like to claim, that's really what the Sixers future comes down to.  There's no point in trading Noel, Embiid, the rights to Saric or Okafor because they won't get anything close to fair value.  They could send out this year's late first round picks from OKC and Miami for a couple of vets but the tank is too far gone for that to make much of a difference.

The balls bounce right and they get Simmons, they're golden.  They don't and after three years of tanking, Philly will still be years and multiple moves from just getting back to the mediocrity this whole "Process" was supposed to avoid.

Mike

[bdm860]

I would trade J.Okafor and J.Embiid and build my team around Nerlens Noel as franchise center.

You really think Noel is a franchise center?  I feel like that's like building your team around Serge Ibaka or Emeka Okafor, which don't seem like teams I'd expect anything more than a 1st round playoff exit from at best (unless you can successfully recreate the 2004 Pistons).

Nerlens Noel He averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 2.1 steals with 49% shooting and 66% from the line over the second half of last season. 

Nik Stauskas though he shot 42%/40%/85% over the second half of last season and after struggling with injures

At what point do we stop using last years 2nd half season results?  Philly's played 22 games this year, and post All-Star break last year was only 26 and 23 games for Noel and Stauskas.  I mean it's one thing coming in to the season or when we're only a few games in.  But 1/4 into the next season, when both players have gotten plenty of minutes, I think it's safe to assume those post All-Star game numbers weren't actually the start of a positive upward trend.

[Moranis]

I would trade J.Okafor and J.Embiid and build my team around Nerlens Noel as franchise center.

You really think Noel is a franchise center?  I feel like that's like building your team around Serge Ibaka or Emeka Okafor, which don't seem like teams I'd expect anything more than a 1st round playoff exit from at best (unless you can successfully recreate the 2004 Pistons).

Nerlens Noel He averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 2.1 steals with 49% shooting and 66% from the line over the second half of last season. 

Nik Stauskas though he shot 42%/40%/85% over the second half of last season and after struggling with injures

At what point do we stop using last years 2nd half season results?  Philly's played 22 games this year, and post All-Star break last year was only 26 and 23 games for Noel and Stauskas.  I mean it's one thing coming in to the season or when we're only a few games in.  But 1/4 into the next season, when both players have gotten plenty of minutes, I think it's safe to assume those post All-Star game numbers weren't actually the start of a positive upward trend.

Noel has been injured this year.  Missed games and clearly hampered in the games he has played.  Plus, he is playing out of position.  So I get it with him.  Stauskas has no excuse though.  He just isn't playing well.  That said they are both 2nd year players.  A lot can happen (both good and bad) with players that young.

[CFAN38]

After the PR is taken care of and agents are made to feel better about the situation i would proceed with something along the following lines.


1. Bring in an upgrade at the PG. This doesn't need to even be a legit starting caliber player just a guy who has been a solid rotational guy who has been around the league. Shelvin Mack would be my first choice and could likely be had for Hollis Thompson (2nd rd pick?) since he is out of the Hawks rotation.

2. Minor wing upgrade. I think Bogdanovic from the nets would be a decent target or Kevin Martin from Min. I would think the OKC first round pick should be enough to get either player.

3. Add Landry to the rotation. As soon as he is healthy Landry should be playing around 20mpg as the 3rd big in the rotation. I would still start Okafor and Noel but use Landry as the 6th man and limit the time Noel and Okafor are on the court together.

2015-16 Lineup

PG   Mack
SG   Martin
SF   Covington
PF   Noel
C    Okafor
6th Landry
7th Canaan/McConnell
8th Grant
9th Stauskas

This team is still terrible but at least competitive on a nightly bases.

Heading into the next off-season a lot of what happens will obviously be affected by the draft, Embiids health, and Sarics status. I would actually try to hold the above model for another season while infusing the new talent. Barring drafting a high lottery PG (Dunn) I would make that position my preseason priority as I think on the court leadership will be very important on a young big man heavy roster. 

[PhoSita]

Hold onto Embiid until he can get on the floor and consistently play 20+ productive minutes for half a season.  Then look into shopping him.

For the rest of this season, I'd pretty much stay the course. 

Around the time of the draft, I'd take the best player available in my draft slot who I think has a decent chance of being able to play alongside Noel or Okafor.

Next off-season, I'd gauge trade interest in Noel and Okafor.  If I can get a really great haul for Okafor -- i.e. multiple established, relatively young talents -- I'd go for it.  Otherwise, I'd trade Noel for any valuable, productive player assets I could get.  Not looking for more draft picks.

I'd accept that with Saric, I'm probably waiting until I can offer better than rookie scale for him to come over.


In free agency, I'd target young players who have been undervalued by other teams.  Guys who have shown an ability to produce but who haven't gotten the chance to secure a starting role.  I'd also try to use my cap space to take on players of that description, as well.  Basically, I'd do what Portland did last year.

Some examples of young(ish) UFAs:

Bazemore
Seraphin
Leuer
Budinger

I'd also look into signing Brandon Jennings on a short term, high annual value deal.  Give him a chance to rebuild his value and maybe get an actual NBA point guard to run my team.  Failing that, I'd consider doing the same with Rondo.  At least he'd get the younger players involved.  This is assuming I don't draft a top point guard prospect with a top 10 pick.

Then I'd look into signing a few older players on short term, high annual value deals as well.  Guys looking for that last chance to play a significant role for a team.  Guys with a reputation for good character who can act as mentors and on-court coaches.  Guys who won't try to take a large role in the offense, who will get the younger guys involved first and foremost.

Examples:

Udonis Haslem
Richard Jefferson
Matt Bonner
Nene
Barbosa
David Lee
Randy Foye


There are no quick fixes for Philly, or for any rebuilding team.  My goal would be to help get the infrastructure in place that allows a coach (Brett Brown or whoever) to actually install a system on both ends of the court and try to run real, honest-to-goodness NBA plays.  I'd fill my roster with young role players for the draft prospects to compete against, and veteran players to keep the younger guys in line and accountable.

[Moranis]

After the PR is taken care of and agents are made to feel better about the situation i would proceed with something along the following lines.


1. Bring in an upgrade at the PG. This doesn't need to even be a legit starting caliber player just a guy who has been a solid rotational guy who has been around the league. Shelvin Mack would be my first choice and could likely be had for Hollis Thompson (2nd rd pick?) since he is out of the Hawks rotation.

2. Minor wing upgrade. I think Bogdanovic from the nets would be a decent target or Kevin Martin from Min. I would think the OKC first round pick should be enough to get either player.

3. Add Landry to the rotation. As soon as he is healthy Landry should be playing around 20mpg as the 3rd big in the rotation. I would still start Okafor and Noel but use Landry as the 6th man and limit the time Noel and Okafor are on the court together.

2015-16 Lineup

PG   Mack
SG   Martin
SF   Covington
PF   Noel
C    Okafor
6th Landry
7th Canaan/McConnell
8th Grant
9th Stauskas

This team is still terrible but at least competitive on a nightly bases.

Heading into the next off-season a lot of what happens will obviously be affected by the draft, Embiids health, and Sarics status. I would actually try to hold the above model for another season while infusing the new talent. Barring drafting a high lottery PG (Dunn) I would make that position my preseason priority as I think on the court leadership will be very important on a young big man heavy roster.

Wroten is due back this week and Marshall won't be far behind.

[Who]

I would trade J.Okafor and J.Embiid and build my team around Nerlens Noel as franchise center.

You really think Noel is a franchise center?  I feel like that's like building your team around Serge Ibaka or Emeka Okafor, which don't seem like teams I'd expect anything more than a 1st round playoff exit from at best (unless you can successfully recreate the 2004 Pistons).

Franchise center is perhaps the wrong phrase. I do not mean Noel as a franchise player. It's a different term. Solely in terms of main guy at that position for next 8-10 years and a key part of the team. Some people use phrase like this, some don't.

So I mean Noel as the first choice center (ahead of Okafor + Embiid) and one of the main building blocks to the franchise for the next 10 years. That Noel is one out of the 3-4 main pieces (building blocks) to the next Sixers title contender.

[Eja117]

Make friends with the local Philly mafia.  Let them suggest to Hinkie to take a long vacation somewhere off the grid

[Emmette Bryant]

Sorry to sound like a wiseguy but do Noel, Okafur, or Embiid fit in the modern NBA?

[Donoghus]

Sorry to sound like a wiseguy but do Noel, Okafur, or Embiid fit in the modern NBA?

A healthy Embiid certainly would.  Sadly, we'll probably never see that guy.

[saltlover]

Sorry to sound like a wiseguy but do Noel, Okafur, or Embiid fit in the modern NBA?

All three of them do when healthy.  They just don't fit on the same team.  And that of course hurts Noel and Okafor when they're forced onto the court together, and will hurt Embiid if he's ever able to step on the floor at all.

[Evantime34]

First off, I would make sure to not make any moves until next season.

In the offseason I would offer 2nd round picks up for back end rotation players, because what has made this team so terrible is actually the back half of the roster.

My first move would be trading Okafor, with the intent of acquiring guards, shooters and long defenders that can switch. Once Embiid is healthy I would look to deal him as well, however with his injury history even if he is healthy his value probably won't be high so maybe keep him as a back up C.

With the way the league is moving you want long athletic defenders that can defend a switch and space the floor. That is why Noel should be the 5 of the future for the 76ers. I would make sure to surround him with shooters so that on offense all he does is roll into the empty paint.

Assuming the Sixers get a top 3 draft pick I think they will want to draft Simmons, Bender or Skal. A front court of Noel, Saric and one of the others gives Philly 3 interchangeable parts defensively.

At the two guard spots I would be looking for 2 large guards who can shoot. That way Philly can switch at almost every position and leave defenses confused as to what the best match ups are.

I would also offer a max offer sheet to any restricted free agent that is interested. Sure teams might match but it can't hurt to try.

[SHAQATTACK]

Fire Hinkie