As the dust settled on the 2017-18 NBA season, the Philadelphia 76ers faced an unfortunate end in the playoffs against their long-time rivals, the Boston Celtics. Despite the heartbreak, it was evident that Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and the rest of the team were ready to establish themselves as a dominant force in the Eastern Conference after an impressive 52-win season.
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However, just as a crucial offseason approached, a major shakeup occurred within the team’s front office. General Manager Bryan Colangelo was forced to resign amid a scandal involving “burner accounts” leaking sensitive information on social media. With little time to find a replacement, head coach Brett Brown was put in charge of personnel decisions on an interim basis.
Despite the distraction, the Sixers were focused on the future. They had the opportunity to build a team around Embiid and Simmons that could contend for championships in the long run.
NBA Draft
With an abundance of draft assets, the Sixers made a splash in the 2018 NBA Draft. They owned 10 percent of the picks, including the No. 10 and No. 26 selections in the first round. The target was Villanova’s Mikal Bridges, a hometown hero with a skill set perfectly suited for the team.
However, a shocking trade saw Bridges’ rights sent to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the No. 16 pick and a valuable 2021 first-round pick from the Miami Heat. The Sixers selected Zhaire Smith, a raw talent with immense potential but a long road to development. While Bridges flourished, Smith struggled to make an impact.
Despite this setback, the Sixers found success with Landry Shamet at No. 26, who quickly became a key contributor. Shake Milton, another draft steal, also made an impact in his time with the team.
Free Agency
The Sixers set their sights on LeBron James in free agency, but ultimately missed out as he signed with the Lakers. They pivoted to bring back JJ Redick and added veteran Wilson Chandler to shore up the roster.
While losing some key veterans, the Sixers made moves to acquire Mike Muscala and Jonah Bolden, setting the stage for a challenging but promising season ahead.
Results
The 2018-19 season saw significant changes to the Sixers roster with key acquisitions like Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris. Despite a dramatic playoff run, ending in a heartbreaking loss to the eventual champions, the Toronto Raptors, the team faced tough decisions in the offseason.
The choices made in the coming months would shape the future of the franchise, setting them on a path that would define their success for years to come.
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