It's been a long, hard slog for Philadelphia 76ers fans over the past three years, and the 2016-2017 season won't provide them with a long-awaited return to the postseason. It will, however, offer them a glimmer of hope.
After tanking purposely under former general manager Sam Hinkie, the 76ers don't have much to show for their efforts. Former Offensive Rookie of the Year Michael Carter Williams was shipped out of town in 2014, and fellow lottery picks Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor are rumored to be on the trading block. However, 2014's No. 3 overall pick Joel Embiid - who many thought would go No. 1 overall if not for health concerns - will finally be making his NBA debut in 2016.
"Wish we could fast forward to next season #FinallyHealthy," Embiid posted to his Instagram account on Monday.
Embiid has missed the past two seasons due to lingering foot issues. He underwent a second round of surgery in the summer of 2015 and now claims to be fully recovered. In fact, it's possible that Embiid is healthy enough to participate in Summer League play, though the team will likely take a cautious approach with his playing time. It's likely that fans won't see Embiid take the court until the 2016 preseason.
But Embiid's improved health is a big reason why new general manager Bryan Colangelo is even reportedly considering moving on from Noel and/or Okafor. If healthy, Embiid projects to be a starting center who can bring both offensive and defensive skills to the table. Noel and Okafor, on the other hand, are more singular in their abilities. The former is undersized but a solid defender, while the latter has a polished offensive game but offers little on the defensive end.
The Sixers are coming off the second worst season in franchise history (10-72) and have lost a total of 154 games over the past three years. After all that losing, Colangelo plans to right the ship. That could lead to a trade for a top veteran or a splashy signing in free agency this offseason. The 76ers also own the No. 1 overall selection in the upcoming NBA Draft.
"Everybody is thinking about winning as opposed to prolonging the rebuilding process," Colangelo said in a recent interview.
