NBA

It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for 'em.

- Pepper Brooks (in regards to Sixers plans regarding James Harden, obviously)

The biggest achievement that the Sixers made this offseason is improving the coaching staff (at least the head coach). The Sixers lost some of their depth and did little to backfill what was lost. They somehow got older as well, which is impressive given that they were already one of the older teams in the league last year.

It doesn’t look like they’ll be able to easily get younger since they only have 4 draft picks (just 2 1st rounders) in the next 4 years and they lost most of the players they could send in a package. Without the big, long term contract that Harden wants, there is likely little reason for him to stay in Philly. However, if both Embiid and Harden show up for a full game at least 4 times each playoff series, the Sixers still have a chance at finally getting past the second round and possibly even winning the Finals.

The window for the Sixers with Embiid/Harden is just 1-2 season though. If they don’t make it past the 2nd round again with Embiid/Harden, then Hinkie, Harden, and even Embiid likely won’t be with the Sixers to see the 2nd season of that window.