FanPost

Dealing with the Devil: Sam Hinkie and Danny Ainge EDITED

We all know the East is wide open for the taking. By the time the Sixers and Celtics are truly contending if all goes as planned/hoped LeBron will be past his prime. Hopefully the stars stuck chasing the 8th seed in the West don't realize the East is cake like Goran Dragic and IT4 and relocate to the East coast. Fortunately with the new CBA it's much easier to retain stars so those players likely aren't going anywhere for a long time. It's do or die for these 2 GMs. Sam Hinkie, a rookie GM who made a big time promise to the fans, he'll make a contender within 3-5 years. Well It's year 3 next year and Philly fans aren't getting any more patient. Danny Ainge has also rebuilt his roster, slowly but surely making all the best moves as opportunity arrives he could and committed to winning after seeing Brad Stevens whip the Celtics into shape. But he has to convince the fans that the bottom of the East is only a pit stop on the path to another championship. Danny has brought the city of Boston a championship already so he has some leeway to make mistakes. The Big 3 and pre-2013 Rondo aren't walking through that door, it's time to see if he can really draft and build a true winner. He has the coach. Time to live up to that status of elite GM and build a great team.

Of course, the unfortunate thin line between what you'd like as a fan and want the franchise needs you have to walk when you are rebuilding. It's interesting, two historic team deciding to rebuild at the same time with different styles and obviously to different extremes but the end goal has always been the same. Championships. The benefits of both are obvious. Sixers with higher lottery picks, and Celtics with a trove of assets as well but obviously at a better point in the rebuild success wise and all the advantages of that (winning perception, free agents, chemistry). But the reality is that both of these teams need a star. Can Marcus Smart become Tony Allen with a respectable to great 3 point game/offensive game? Can Nerlens become Bill Russell 2.0? I mean we can hype up our players all we want but we need a star or a player on our roster to turn into a star. These last two draft we both put ourselves in good position in the draft. But with the best players being big men and with Hinkie picking only front court players for the last 2 years in the lottery, the need for guard play is obvious. Still, you don't trade away Kyrie Irving because you think you have a shot at Chris Paul. You don't trade Kobe...you just don't. You don' trade Nerlens Noel because you have Anthony Davis. History shows drafting and keeping the BPA is always the best answer.

Of course, as we know, top 3 or even top 5 doesn't guarantee a star. You could argue that the value of picks is more influenced by how many picks you have than the position. Couple of examples:

2011 three players from that draft class have been named All Stars. Kyrie, and two players drafted outside of the top 10. Nikola Vucevic was also another late first rounder that year.

2013 Thought to be a weak class, worst of all time weak, but of course that's just because in the world we live in now with all the social media and internet blogs we are quick to label and judge things. I could see Oladipo becoming an All Star if him or Payton can ever develop a reliable jump shot. The Greek Freak is just all sorts of fun and potential. Rudy Gobert might be the best big defensive man in the league one day, but maybe not thanks to Nerlens Noel. MCW is kind of stat padder, and he is sort of mentally weak I think really couldn't handle being the face of the Sixers. He took a lot of blame for their failures when admittedly the team around him didn't have much experience. German Rondo is similar to MCW but younger and there's more hope to him fixing his jumper to respectable levels. I believe Kelly Olynyk was the leading sophomore scorer for a while, but he lacks the aggression and minutes to be a consistent threat. Steven Adams, I mean I could go on. Naming all these exciting young players and I failed to mention number one overall pick Anthony Bennett. Now not all hope is lost for Bennett he looked good in Summer League and would thrive with time on the floor I think. But instead Flip would rather give minutes to Adrein Payne and Thad Young (thanks for the lottery pick Minny! Fingers crossed!)

The best course of action for Hinkie I believe is to not trade any pick regardless of where it landed and wait until the trade deadline for any fit issues. Of course, you could end up with a bust and lose out on getting a W in the trade game. You could also trade away the next Anthony Davis and regret it forever. However, big risk big reward and Danny Ainge is calling trying to swing a draft day trade. Ainge knows that his assets are at their most valuable now. Next year we'll know for sure if Brooklyn is headed for eventual demise. They have no incentive to lose so it will have to be complete meltdown. It's a good market and they are wiling to spend money obviously. You'd have convince them that the Brooklyn pick, unprotected, can be Thon Maker or Ben Simmons. Which it totally could and that could end up being a really bad trade but again, risk and reward.

I ran the tankathon.com simulator a couple of times and got some scenarios of the lottery. It takes up about 50% of a regular day for me with the remaining being 25% work and 25% arguing with Ed Schultz. Sixers have the possibility of coming away with 3 lottery picks. I try to get 1, 6, and 11 but with a 1-352 chance I haven't gotten it yet. Obviously, in a scenario of a possible trade more picks the Sixers have the better. With one pick, they'll be more inclined to just select the BPA. They would also receive other offers for the number #1. Knicks would be willing to give up picks Phil Jackson is clear on him wanting to win now and build through free agency. If he falls in love with Knick fan Karl Anthony-Towns we could trade down a spot or 2, and take their offer.

Some of the trades I've thought of are pretty fun for both teams, I'll probably do it again or update this post once the actual lottery happens. Spoiler, none of these scenarios involve us trading the Celtics Noel or Embiid, sorry.

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This is my favorite scenario I've gotten. Obviously it's the closest I got to 1, 6, and 11. It also allows us to have some fun. I know you can't see in that picture but Knicks, then Kings, then Utah. In this scenario the New York selects KAT and we all weep. He'll be a fun player for them. Not getting him from them unless we blow them away with an offer. Again all depending on how much both GMs covet KAT. The 2nd and 3rd picks being Utah and Sacramento are especially fun because they are not inclined to draft front court players either. Of course Porzingis would help both those teams but he could fall. I'd say for the sake of realism he's drafted either 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. Both these teams could also draft back court players and wings. Utah has young talent at all positions so it'd really be their BPA. They are good at drafting so it would be hard to pry this pick from them. They already have a difference maker in Gobert they don't need to take any huge risk. Kings haven't had a good track record of drafting so I'm not giving them the benefit of a doubt and say they end up reaching on a wing, as they've already spent the past two seasons drafting shooting guards. Justice Winslow would be there best bet or Hezonja, but again I see them screwing it up. Could also select one of these big men which are obviously the best prospects in this draft. Minnesota needs help everywhere. So we get to the Sixers and Danny calls:

"Hey Sam, Danny, Danny Ainge."

"I know Dan. We've been texting all day. What do you want from me?"

"Alright, Hink, here's the deal. You have the next two picks. Let me he lp you.

"There's a couple of wings I have rated pretty high on my board, Dan. They're both available maybe the Miami pick... what are you offering? You know I'd be willing to listen to offers including Smart."

"I don't know if I have Smart on the table. We might have to let this play out."

With the 5th, assuming 1. KAT 2. 3. 4. Porz/Okafor/Justice/Russell in some order, Mario Hezonja. Danny starts the conversation again via text.

Nice pick! Willing 2 trade? Who are you selecting with the 6th I know you wanted Russell to fall. -DA

If Russell is still on the board when the Sixers pick 6 in this scenario they would draft Russell and keep all our picks. For the sake of a good trade Russell is off the board.

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LOL ya thought I'd get them both. Really the next guard on my board is pretty low. I'm hoping he falls. What are you trying to do here Ainge? -SH

I'm on the clock bro hurry up. - SH

I'd be willing to help with getting ur guy if I have the chance. You have to do something for me. Draft Willie. -DA

Willie Trill? I don't know Dan, if you don't get the guys I want I don't want to waste a lottery pick. He fits our scheme but I don't have time for Coach Brown to fix another one of these Kentucky guys jumper. What the heck is JC doing? -SH

Rim protection bro you said it yourself. Premium int he league, worse case scenario you have a elite rim protector coming off the bench. - DA

Hmm... -SH

You regret drafting MCW? LOL JK -DA

I'm about to answer that question for you right now -SH

With the 6th pick Sixers select WCS from Kentucky.

THAT A BOY HINK! -DA

7th - Orlando selects Stanley Johnson, good fit builds a nice young back court/wing situation

8th- Denver selects Trey Lyles, a reach some might think but I could see it. Pretty much this pick is any of those Kentucky bigs I feel like they all have someone more to show

9th- Detroit selects Frank Kaminsky. I really don't want to put a bold prediction on Frank teh Tank because I don't want to look like a fool later on. Could be a good pick for them could be a reach. This draft so far has been perfect for most teams so with Detroit's history of team building they don't get the benefit of a doubt either.

10th- Charlotte selects Devin Booker. Lance was not the back court mate people thought he'd be. Could be a good pick, MJ is bad at drafting so I don't expect him to get a huge steal, but he could this draft is deep.

How far are you trying to take this thing, Hinkster? I'm uspet Frank is off the board but I'd be wiling to deal for that 11th pick too. Is ur guy off the board? Who is it? -DA

You know how I feel about free info, same as I do about nonathletic players. Seriously get over Frank. No he's not off the board our deal can still go down. I want to take a swing at this pick, what do you have to offer? -SH

On the clock -SH

You need shooting and so do I. Sam Dekker? -DA

Sam Dekker? What are you trying to pull here Dan? You know my mantra. Violence, menace, destruction...-SH

Cool vid Dan, I'm sold- SH

REALLY? Dude I love Vine - DA

I've got some intel that one of the guys I want might drop to your spot. I'm going to need one of the Brooklyn picks if you want bot 6th and 11. Possibly both, and Marcus - SH

Stop bringing up Smart., and how sure of you of this intel? - DA

As sure as Dario is a Sixer - SH

Deal - DA

11th - Sam Dekker

12th - Indiana - Obviously disappointed in Roy Hibbert they draft whichever Kentucky big that hasn't been drafted. Generally in this draft you are pretty safe just picking someone form UK.

13th - Phoenix Kentucky rule here, or maybe a surprise pick. They select Cedi Osman from Anadolu Efes

14th - OKC drafts a big here obviously or a guard. Select Jerian Grant

15th - ATL selects George Lucas PG from Brazil. With the front court in Atlanta filled with All Stars they are looking for their next star guard to pair with Teague.

WTH! Hink tell me there's good news. Thought we were going to be swimming in guards and then wow. What's the move here? -DA

Yeah wasn't expecting that with all these Kentucky guys still on the board. You might have to make the best choice for you here Danny...- SH

We can make this work - DA

I have RJ Hunter rated pretty high, under rated, good size, could be what I wanted from MCW but he can actually shoot. -SH

GOOD IDEA! -DA

Yeah...or maybe... -SH

Was it really Jerian Grant you wanted?-DA

Really I would've been happy drafting Cedi and George Lucas, I thought they'd last much later in the draft. European scouting is better than ever. -SH

What? -DA

Nothing. -SH

ON THE CLOCK! -DA

Draft RJ Hunter. -SH

Done deal. - DA

For the sake of my time tonight, I'm skipping the other selections for now and I'll do it later so it all stays realistic, Boston is able to select Delon Wright for the Sixers with pick 28. In a more detailed version maybe Ainge and Hinkie used their assets to get the guard prospect Hinkie has rated highest.

We did it. Let's annouce it now! Ainge did good! -DA

Ainge did do good. So did Hink... -SH

I love the look on their face when we take the Sixers cap back.. -SH

What? -DA

Let's do this. -SH

Sixers trade 6th pick WCS, 11th pick Sam Dekker, and the rights to Vasilije Micic, a Euro point guard that would do great in Brad Stevens System, for 16th pick RJ Hunter, 28th pick Delon Wright, The 2016 unprotected Brooklyn pick, ans with Brooklyn rights to swap pick in 2016 and Dallas's top 7 protected pick. Sixers would send 2nd round pick that usually would convey to Brooklyn if the swap occurred to Boston. Essentially Sixers the best out of the 3 picks of Brooklyn, Boston, and Philly. Boston would have to hope that they receive the best pick possible in that scenario could still end up in the lottery either way. Sixers and Celtics end up with high ceiling prospects that fit what they are trying to do and what they need. Both teams still have options in the future as Philly has acquired some of Bostons assets even though their own would be pretty depleted after all the wheeling and dealing.

Sorry I basically had a rough draft put up for such a long time ended up writing this half asleep at work. I'm going to post another part directly after this after Tuesday to work out some real possibilities. In the meantime we can discuss more possibilities in teh comments with this scenario. Maybe Ainge has someone else he's texting to use HInkie's picks to make an even bigger trade. Maybe a multiteam deal using all our assets. Who knows in the meantime lets get creative.

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