A Tale of two Cities

[SixersGM]

Most rebuilding strategy consists of a three year plan. With the Sixers, it seems that their rebuilding plan will end at a costly, five years.

The Cavs were the team the Sixers accompanied during their rebuilding stage. Both teams had a high draft picks in the 2022 season. Both teams acquired highly talented frontcourt players who seems to be the cornerstone for their team's success in the up comming years. The Cavs selected, Patrick Ewing, the Hoyas legend who nose how to clear the glass and defend the paint. While the Sixers acquired the Mailman, who's known for his damage down the paint, pulling down rebounds, and post defense.

It seems to be that both teams were at the same pace in their rebuilding stage. Until the Cavs got their big break with acquiring another no.1 pick with David Robinson. The arrival of the Admiral certainly propelled the rebuilding process of the Cavs. The Sixers on the other hand, selected Ron Harper with the fourth overall selection. At first, it was a questionable pick. But later, there were reports that SixersGM had spent GM points in scouting Ron Harper's surprising potential. "The acquisition of Ron Harper, should finally end our rebuilding process. Ron Harper, Dr.J and the Mailman would be the solid core for this team." That was what the SixersGM told the Media hours after the Sixers selected Ron Harper.

The 2023 draft was the draft that determined the future of both teams in the next three years. The Cavs immediately become one of the elite teams in the east. On the other hand, Sixers realized that the trio of Mailman, Dr.J and Harper would be a disaster. With the three of them, accumulating almost ten turnovers per game. No matter how many points the three of them scored or how many steals they acquired, their TOs casted a huge shadow over their success. SixersGM realized something, one of them has to go in order for the team to be competitive. That lead to the trading of Ron Harper for Trey Wooten in the 2024 season.

The year 2024 was another opportunity for the Sixers to escape the misfortune the Sixers was having for the past two years. With two lotto picks in hand, having the three core players on their team and a 12M available cap space. This could have been a great opportunity to turn the team around. But it instead did become a very disastrous offseason for the Sixers.

First, they picked Mark Jackson over the Sixers Scouts favourite, Trey Wooten. It might have been an issue of team needs, since the Sixers needs a floor general on the court with their disastrous TOs. Second, the BPA at the tenth overall selection, Jose Fleisher, had a hard time proving his ratings with his game on the court. Third, after signing the prized FA in the 2025 FA sweepstakes Sidney Green, who was averaging 20-10 and almost 1.5bpg for the Hawks, SixersGM thought their team looked good on paper. With six talented players on their roster and having finally a true PG to solve their TO problems, Sixers management thought they are finally on their way to the play-offs. Then finally the big blow, SixersGM made a rushed decision with trading their 2025 1st rounder for a hefty amount of GM points. It looked like a fair deal at that time, but while the season progressed, it did turn out to be one of the worst GM move the Sixers had for quite a long time. The Sixers struggled during the 2025 season, with having no real SFs and having D-league level PGs at their PG positions. And that 2025 pick, became the first overall pick at the 2025 draft. Which could have landed them Danny Manning.

In the summer of 2025. The Sixers has 15M dollars of cap space and the fourth overall pick. And prized FAs like MJ, Akeem, and Barkley were available at the FA pool. SixersGM realized that MJ, Akeem and Barkley would most likely sign with their respected teams via Bird rights. Although, he also offered Max money/years allowed, he also took a risk and offered one of the best frontcourt players in the league, Jeremy Munson, with an irresistible offer of $114.975.000 for 6 years. What brought the Sixers into this decision?

Pressure. Time seems to be on our side. With the Pacers, a known powerhouse team in the league, on a semi-rebuilding mode. And with Dr.J on the verge of retirement and the team's commitment to bring him at least one championship before he retires.

It's better than nothing. Imagine what could have been if the Sixers didn't overpaid Munson. The Capspace would be put into waste, with the commitment the team has over resigning Dr.J and the Mailman in the next two years. The cap space wouldn't be put into good use.

And what happened to the fourth overall pick? Sixers traded Christian Clark along with the fourth overall pick (Rik Smiths) for a known scorer and player with high potential with Petrovic and the eight overall selection which later turned out to be Rod Strickland. Strickland had a  magnificent TC. He had a +5 in this year's TC. Strickland's game seems to be a good fit for Karl Malone, who is benefiting on Strickland and Lincoln Lord's passing abilities.

The Sixers roster is the product of lottery picks and guys who's going to be overpaid, as long as they get their job done. And these players live in inside scoring, takes pride in playing defense. And most importantly, they will do everything to win because they don't want to wait for another year.

[CelticsGM]

nice read.

and funny how a history of failure leads to one of the more competitive teams of the preseason.

[PacersGM]

very nice story. i wouldn?t call that a history failure. he corrected his mistakes pretty quick which i call a solid good gm job done. this is maybe the hardest part for a real gm admitting he made a mistake and still getting something useful out of it.
just think what kwame brought to the wiz and lakers in the nba  in fact he has to be the most valuable trade option ever. he is a clear bust and still produced 2 all stars involved in his trades 

[JazzGM-old2]

Nice article.  It was well written so that it was enjoyable to read.