Hinkie did what Philly's ownership asked him to do... acquire assets and swing for the fences via the draft. It might have worked. Jury is still out. BUt fact is, if Simmons and Embiid are as great as expected, they are able to sign some free agents, and are able to get some value out of one of the redundant bigs - "the process" will have been a success. Really, all they need for it to be a success is for one player to become a superstar. They have a couple candidates.
but that's the rub, isn't it? as with all rebuilding avenues - FA, draft, trades - it is never so clean and simple as to say "player X will work out as expected."
so far, embiid has given them nothing and has how many years left on his rookie contract?
noel is almost out the door. did he move the franchise success needle at all so far? his trade value recently raises real questions about that. same things might be said about okafur eventually.
simmons, could be great. we shall see. he could be a bust due to attitude and shooting. we shall see.
the jury is indeed out on everything philly has done so far. they gambled big and put ALL their rebuild eggs in one basket - the draft - and we dont know whether or not it works yet, and wont for another 2-3 years minimum.