In May 2013, the Philadelphia 76ers hired Sam Hinkie as the team president and general manager.
Hinkie was not a “basketball guy,” as some would say. He had a more analytical process for building a roster. The Hinkie theory was to collect as many draft picks as possible and, no matter what, take the best player available, not the players with positions of need.
Tank to the Top
Hinkie immediately got to work, drafting injured Kentucky center Nerlens Noel and Syracuse guard Michael Carter-Williams in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Noel would sit out the whole season, a haunting precursor for what would come. Carter-Williams, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of this. In his debut against the Miami Heat’s big three, MCW would arguably have the single-best debut in the history of the NBA, dropping 22 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds, and nine steals en route to a 114-110 victory.
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MCW would ride this momentum for the rest of the season, finishing with averages of 16.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
These numbers looked great enough to win the coveted Rookie of the Year Award, but Hinkie was not impressed. Carter-Williams’ shooting splits were atrocious. 40% from the field, 26% from three and 70% from the free-throw line would not cut it as Hinkies’ franchise guy.
In the 2014 NBA Draft, the 76ers selected Joel Embiid, who would also miss his first season.
Michael Carter-Williams would have even worse efficiency in his second season. Over four turnovers per game and a free-throw percentage below 70% isn’t someone you can build around. Hinkie would trade him at the deadline for a bag of picks that would amount to nothing.
The 76ers finished the season with a putrid 18-64 record, landing them the third pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
The 2015 draft is when Sam Hinkie’s ideology of drafting the best player available over positional need first really took place.
Two years after drafting Nerlens Noel and one year removed from selecting Joel Embiid, the Sixers took a gamble on Duke center Jahlil Okafor. For what seemed like the first time in ages, the Sixers finally had a top-ten pick play his rookie season. Okafor averaged 17.5 points a night and finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting.
Okafor’s efforts would not be enough, as the Sixers would post a league-worst 10-72 record. Sam Hinkie was driven out of office and replaced by Bryan Colangelo.
At the time, a forward attending LSU was garnering comparisons to Magic Johnson or a six-foot-ten Jason Kidd. Another comparison this young man gained was LeBron James.
Ben Simmons was the definition of a sure-fire number-one draft pick—a generational talent destined for the Hall of Fame. The ping-pong balls were in favor of Philadelphia the night of the lottery, landing them the first pick.
Once again, bad news. Simmons missed his rookie season with a foot injury— a common theme for the organization.
The Process is Born
On Oct. 26, 2016, Joel “The Process” Embiid would make his highly anticipated NBA debut.
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It was the freshest breath of air Sixers fans would ever breathe. He moved like Hakeem Olajuwon and brought unmatched energy to the arena. The Process had finally arrived, and it looked like a championship was inevitable.
Embiid continued to deal with his injuries, appearing in only 31 games and being restricted to 25 minutes per game. He would average 20.2 points and still finish third in Rookie of the Year voting. The 76ers finished 28-54 and landed the third pick in the 2016 draft.
2017 Draft Gamble
Current NBA superstar Jayson Tatum was selected with the third pick but not by the 76ers.
Bryan Colangelo would make his first big splash as team president by trading up and selecting Markelle Fultz with the first pick. Fultz looked like a future star in college. He had an insane 6-foot-10 wingspan accompanied by a tight handle and silky smooth pull-up jumper.
As a fluid athlete and paired with Ben Simmons, Fultz had to be destined for greatness, right?
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Expectations had never been higher in Philadelphia. Simmons looked legit, took home Rookie of the Year, and was crowned as the prince to LeBron James.
Joel Embiid would make his first All-Star Game in 2018. Newly signed veteran JJ Redick provided amazing spacing, putting up a career-high 17.1 points per game.
The Philadelphia 76ers were the talk of the league. The team finished with a 52-30 record and made it to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
The only negative of the season was Markelle Fultz. Sure, NBA players bust all the time. The NBA and college are completely different games. But never, not once in history, has a first-overall pick forgotten how to shoot a free throw!
Fultz was properly labeled as the biggest bust in NBA history.
2018-19 Campaign
Aside from Fultz, expectations for the Sixers were up there with the best teams in the NBA heading into the 2018-19 season. LeBron James had finally relieved the Eastern Conference of his reign, packing his bags and heading to Los Angeles. The East was wide open, and it looked like it was the Sixers’ conference for the foreseeable future.
Over in Minnesota, a certain superstar was unhappy about the work ethic of the young guys around him. Jimmy Butler wanted out, and the Sixers were perfect suitors.
On Nov. 10, Jimmy Butler became a 76er.
Almost immediately, Markelle Fultz wanted out and was traded for Jonathan Simmons and a second-round pick. In Boston, Jayson Tatum was blossoming into a superstar. A harsh contrast from what could have been.
The team still looked amazing, like true contenders. Ben Simmons made his first All-Star Game, Joel Embiid was a legitimate MVP candidate, and Jimmy Butler was the perfect veteran presence. The Sixers would make another splash at the deadline, acquiring Tobias Harris from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Again, he was a perfect fit. Harris was a big body who could create his own shot and space the floor.
Heading into the playoffs, the 76ers were the third seed in a wide-open Eastern Conference. They would make easy work of the Nets in round one and face off with Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors in round two.
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It went on to be one of the best playoff series in recent memory. Heading into Game 7 in Toronto after an emphatic home win in Game 6, the 76ers were ready.
Viewer Discretion Advised
With four seconds on the clock, Jimmy Butler hit a tough layup to tie the game at 90.
As everyone at home got ready for an overtime thriller, Kawhi Leonard would hit the dagger. A fadeaway with Joel Embiid’s hand blocking his view of the basket. The ball bounced on the rim for what felt like minutes. It dropped, and to this day, it has been the closest the 76ers have gotten to an NBA Finals.
Jimmy Butler would depart for Miami over the offseason. The 76ers would use this newly found cap space to sign massive contracts with Tobias Harris and Al Horford.
2020 Blunders
After a seemingly successful 2019 campaign, the 2020 season was a massive disappointment.
Joel Embiid continued to dominate, and Ben Simmons made his second All-Star appearance, making up for his lack of a jumper by dominating in every other aspect of the game. The team, however, lacked any support for the two young stars. Al Horford was a horrible fit next to Embiid, and Tobias Harris proved right away that he wasn’t worth his contract.
The 76ers finished with a 43-30 record, matching up with the Celtics in Round 1. Simmons was sidelined with an ankle injury, leaving Embiid with no help. They got swept, heading into the offseason with several question marks.
The 76ers hired Daryl Morey, a former colleague of Sam Hinkie, soon after their first-round sweep. Along with Morey, Doc Rivers was also brought in to be the head coach. Morey quickly offloaded Al Horford and his contract, getting Danny Green in return. He also traded for sharpshooter Seth Curry and drafted soon-to-be-phenom Tyrese Maxey.
The Simmons Saga
Even with all the spacing, expectations heading into the 2020-21 season were at an all-time low.
There were warranted concerns about Ben Simmons’s shooting woes and Joel Embiid’s ability to remain on the court. However, in the shortened season, the 76ers finished 49-23, leading the Eastern Conference. Embiid and Simmons were runner-ups for MVP and DPOY, respectively. They took quick care of the Wizards in five games and faced the Hawks in the second round.
Almost no one thought the Hawks stood any chance. That did not last long— Ben Simmons had apparently lost all confidence, and it got worse from game to game. Paired with Doc Rivers’ refusal to make in-game adjustments, the Hawks were able to come back from multiple double-digit leads and force a game seven in Philadelphia.
With 3:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, down two points, Ben Simmons passed up a wide-open dunk. This single play marked the end of not only his 76ers career but his prime as well. A haunting play to both 76ers fans and Ben Simmons himself. The Hawks would hit two straight threes and end the 76ers’ season.
Another year, another disappointment.
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Heading into the 2021-22 season, Ben Simmons decided he no longer wanted to play basketball. He wanted out, and Morey was not willing to trade him. Simmons then decided to sit out, making up lame excuses that would end with him getting fined his yearly salary.
A New Duo
Miraculously, Morey was able to move Simmons to the Nets for NBA legend James Harden at the trade deadline.
A new era began in Philly. Joel Embiid finally had his superstar partner, along with Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey. This team was destined to make it past the second round.
At least, one would think.
The 76ers would end their 2022 regular season with a very respectable record of 51-31, enough to earn them the fourth seed. Matched up with the Raptors in round one was not a daunting task, as the Sixers would win in six. However, in Game 6, when the game was practically over, Joel Embiid was caught an elbow in the face, breaking his orbital bone.
With Embiid sidelined through the first two games against the Heat in Round 2, the 76ers took an early two-game deficit. Embiid returning in game three was not enough, and the 76ers were bounced in round two once again. James Harden did not seem to want the ball in big moments, and Tobias Harris was borderline unplayable. The only guy who stepped up was Tyrese Maxey.
Morey re-signed James Harden to a three-year deal with a player option after his first season over the offseason.
With the 2022-23 campaign approaching, there were a lot of big “ifs” in the air for the 76ers. What if Joel Embiid can stay healthy? What if Harden and Maxey can mesh in the backcourt? What if Tobias Harris could live up to his max contract?
These questions were answered. Embiid finally stayed healthy for the majority of the season, taking home the MVP honor. Harden was his perfect sidekick, and Maxey was one of the best third options in basketball. Tobias Harris was mediocre at best and was unable to be traded because no one wanted to touch his contact.
The 76ers earned the third seed in the East and easily swept the Brooklyn Nets in Round 1. They then matched up with the Celtics once again in Round 2. Finally, it felt like an even matchup. Embiid was finally healthy in the second round, and there were zero excuses this time around.
After winning Game 5 in Boston and taking a three-to-two series lead heading back home, the consensus was that this was the 76ers’ series. Joel Embiid would finally lead the 76ers past Round 2 of the playoffs.
However, this did not happen. They were held to just 86 and 88 points in games six and seven. Both Harden and Embiid underperformed, and Tobias Harris was a complete non-factor.
The Decline
James Harden accepted his player option over the offseason but wanted a long-term contract. After multiple stinkers in big moments over the past two seasons, Morey was unwilling to commit to him. Harden demanded a trade and was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers right before the season.
Joel Embiid’s injuries kept getting worse, and he only played 39 games in the 2023-24 season. He was still dominant, but the best ability is availability. Tyrese Maxey took a massive leap, winning Most Improved Player and being named to his first All-Star team.
The Sixers fell to the seventh seed without their superstar center and matched up with the Knicks in the first round. The Knicks picked them apart in six games— yet another playoff failure.
The goal heading into the summer of 2024 was clear: get Embiid and Maxey their third star.
Finally, having cap space after being saved from the tyranny of the Tobias Harris contract, one big name caught the name of Daryl Morey, Paul George. Morey gave George a max contract, and he looked like the perfect fit in their new big three. A refined veteran forward who could score from anywhere on the court is something any contending team would love to have.
Process is Processed
It is now clear that this move was a complete disaster.
At the All-Star break, the 76ers were 20-34, their worst record since the pre-Embiid-Simmons era. Joel Embiid’s injury history has finally caught up to him. He’s played in just 19 of 56 games this season and seen his points per game plummet from 34.7 to 23.8.
Paul George has somehow been a downgrade from Tobias Harris, averaging only 16.1 points per outing. The sole bright spot has been Tyrese Maxey, who has been averaging over 27.4 points per game. Since Christmas, Maxey has been averaging 29.0 points per night.
Rookie Jared McCain looked great as well, but hey, a 76ers promising rookie can’t play a full season. That would be too easy for 76ers fans to handle.
With the assumption that Embiid will continue to miss time for injury, it is doubtful the 76ers will even reach the play-in, as evidenced by their ongoing seven-game losing streak.
Embiid no longer has the trade value he once had. No one wants a guy who only plays 30-some games a season. Any GM in their right mind wouldn’t touch Paul George with a ten-foot pole after seeing his performance this season.
Grim Future
This poses the question— is the process over?
The simple answer is that it ended a long time ago. As early as 2021, it was clear that Embiid’s body couldn’t handle an 82-game season and the playoffs. It has never been anyone’s fault— you can only control the controllable.
So what now? Try to make the play-in again just to lose the first round? Maybe, but Sam Hinkie had a vision that it is better to be bad and get a high pick than settle for year-in-year-out mediocrity.
Go out and tank again? That wouldn’t be much fun, but it could help in the future. The 76ers currently sit in basketball purgatory, having a team that can never compete for a title but is too good to secure a top-five draft pick.
Who knows, maybe a certain Duke forward by the name of Cooper Flagg can team up with Tyrese Maxey and complete the prophecy that Sam Hinkie foresaw.
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