The most intriguing storyline from the NBA Draft might be about a team that is unlikely to even see their selections on the court next season.
With their picks of Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, the Philadelphia 76ers resigned themselves to another campaign where wins will be scarce and patience a virtue.
Embiid, taken third overall, could potentially miss the entire year due to a foot fracture, while Saric, chosen at 12, isn’t likely to be in the NBA for the near future after the international prospect signed a three-year deal to remain in Turkey ahead of the draft.
However, Saric’s availability didn’t scare off the 76ers and neither did Embiid’s injury concerns. Instead, team president and general manager Sam Hinkie saw value.
“I sniffed opportunity,” said Hinkie of his newly-drafted centre. “The moment he got hurt, we thought we might get him. We might be just the organisation with just the set of owners, and we might be the one to do it.
“In this scenario, and only this scenario, does he fall to three. If he can remain healthy, he can have a fantastic, fantastic NBA career.”
The Cameroon native was projected as the top selection after his lone season at Kansas showed flashes of brilliance, despite back issues which had already planted a red flag.
After his foot injury, it seemed like a possibility that Embiid could slide to the middle of lottery, but as they did in last year’s draft with Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia were ready to pounce.
Noel, another one-and-done big, was also expected to be the top pick in the draft but fell to six because of a torn ACL. Philadelphia kept Noel out the entire year, allowing him to fully recover and the same process could be used for Embiid.
If and when both players finally share the court though, the 76ers are confident in their future front line being the foundation of the franchise.
“I do think that Joel and Nerlens can co-exist,” said Philadelphia head coach Brett Brown. “I think I can find a way to play those two guys together. It’s a really good problem to have.”
In the meantime, 76ers fans will have to endure another season of watching young players develop with more lottery ping pong balls on the horizon.
While Noel’s presence will be welcoming for a group that finished with the second-worst record at 19- 63, allowing a league-worst 109.9 points per game, Philadelphia have proven their plan is long-term.
Hinkie has the backing of ownership to steadily rebuild. Some franchises want to win now, even if it means peaking as just a playoff entrant.
The 76ers are swinging for the fences and might have to connect just once for it to all be worth it.
