After Monday night’s NBA Draft Lottery results, the Sixers have been given a lifeline. Not only were they able to keep their top six protected, but against the odds, they moved into the top three right behind the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs. Initially, when Dallas and San Antonio jumped up, it seemed the Sixers had lost all hope. It was even announced that they had. Thankfully, they were able to vault past the four final teams in their way to secure the third pick
With expectations to compete for a championship, Philly ended the season with the fifth-worst record after being plagued by an exorbitant number of injuries throughout the year. Joel Embiid played only 19 games, and even in those games, he was a shell of himself. Prized free agent Paul George was also injured throughout the season, playing just 41 games and struggling to get comfortable in Philadelphia.
Jared McCain played only 23 games and got injured right as he started to run away with a potential Rookie of the Year campaign. Even Ironman Tyrese Maxey missed 30 games last season with knee and hand injuries. Expected contributors Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre Jr, and Caleb Martin (before being traded) all also missed significant stretches of games throughout the year.
With aging veterans and often injured stars, the Sixers seemed to be hoping that their stars would come back healthy and could drag them back into contention. What made this offseason even more terrifying was the fact that they may be forced to send their first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder if it landed outside the top six.
Now, with the third pick in hand, the team’s misfortunes have led to hope. They have so many options to improve the team in the short term and long term. They could draft a player to fit the young core of Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain. They could also use the pick to remake the roster and trade for a young star or player with potential who doesn’t fit on his current team.
Teams don’t often get opportunities like this. Especially teams with such high championship expectations. It’s up to Daryl Morey and the front office to capitalize on this golden opportunity and set the Sixers up for the present and after Joel Embiid’s tenure.
