Orlando Magic must seek a plan and stick with it to right the ship
By Bill Johnson
Sticking to the Plan: Philadelphia 76ers
The Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers are linked in the rebuilding process because they were both involved in the Dwight Howard trade. The Sixers took a big risk with that trade and it blew up in their face.
As a result of that failed trade, the franchise decided on a controversial rebuild route.
The Sixers decided they were going to lose games until they accumulated enough talent to where they felt like they could contend. They traded their point guard Jrue Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans for the injured rookie Nerlens Noel.
The organization continued that path for years despite becoming the laughingstock of the NBA. Despite that, the organization was unapologetic, and they continued that path until the NBA seemingly intervened. But the plan worked as the Sixers collected assets that excited their fan base.
The Sixers were accumulating draft picks, but they never got the number one selection. That changed last season, and they drafted Ben Simmons out of LSU. Simmons was injured and did not play last season, but the Sixers finally suited up their 2014 lottery picks — Joel Embiid and Dario Saric.
Seeing Embiid and Saric eased some of the disappointment with the Simmons injury.
The Sixers have their own lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft and seemingly endless possibilities if Embiid and Simmons can stay healthy. They could come away with two lottery picks in this year’s loaded draft if the Lakers pick does not fall in the top three.
Games are not won on paper, but the Sixers are in a good position. Not only do they have young talent, but they have financial flexibility. The pieces are in place where a key signing could take this team to the next level.