Under former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie, the team was designed to lose as many games as possible in order to recoup valuable draft assets and build a talented nucleus for the long-term. In theory, that makes sense. But in practice, that strategy has led to some historically disastrous results.
After three abysmal seasons and Hinkie's decision to step down as GM earlier this year, the 76ers may finally be done with their tanking strategy. Philly's roster is populated with young players, and the team may have as many as five (!) first-round picks this year.
But Bryan Colangelo, who is now in charge of basketball operations, wants to start winning right away. That may mean he is willing to trade the Sixers' top lottery pick this year - expected to fall in the top three - in exchange for a talented veteran who can help push this team back towards the playoffs.
"It's hard to put a number or a value on degree of aggressiveness, but we'll certainly be open for business and listening to whatever is there," Colangelo said in a recent interview.
The NBA Lottery will be held next Tuesday, and the official draft order will be set. If the Los Angeles Lakers' pick falls outside of the top three, they'll be forced to send the selection to Philly. Ideally, the 76ers would win the Lottery and L.A. would land the No. 4 overall pick, giving the Sixers two selections in the top five and a lot of flexibility to maneuver.
"It really just comes from the conversation following the lottery results. That's the one thing about the lottery," Colangelo said. "Once it's completed we'll know exactly what we have. Before anything else happens, that's the first domino that's got to fall. Tuesday's a big day for us in a whole host of ways."
Philadelphia is coming off a 10-72 season, the second-worst in franchise history.
As of right now, the Sixers own their pick and Nos. 24 (from Miami) and 26 (from Oklahoma City) in the first round thanks to prior trade. The NBA Draft will be held on June 23.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Grat_Katzby
