Previous errors on NBA draft night put additional pressure on the Sixers’ offseason decisions

Of course nobody has a crystal ball. But with the benefit of foresight, we can say that the team’s previous design choices definitely hampered its progress.

For example, imagine where the Sixers could be if, instead of Ben Simmons with the first overall win in 2016, they took Brandon Ingram, who finished second overall?

Or Jaylen Brown, who finished third?

Or instead of trading Markelle Fultz as the overall winner, did they bring in All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum?

The same draft also brought in All-Star Donovan Mitchell at 13 as further proof that something isn’t quite right with the Sixers’ track record of talent evaluation.

What if the team didn’t trade Villanova’s Mikal Bridges for Zhaire Smith as soon as he was called up?

Smith last played in the G-League for the Memphis Hustle.

Fultz started in three games for Orlando last year and averaged 10 points.

Simon? Well he didn’t play at all last year and who knows if he ever will again.

Meanwhile, the Sixers are stuck in a never-ending cycle of second-round exits.

Will this be the year they finally break through and make it to the Eastern Conference Finals?

Or an NBA Finals?

It will start with the draft – whether they make a choice or trade it in for a vet – and move on to free hand.

There’s no question, with Joel Embiid in his prime, this is quite possibly the biggest offseason for the Sixers. Maybe ever!

And when it doesn’t pay off, heads roll and jobs are lost.