Sixers enter draft with plenty of questions
Every NBA team has offseason issues -- even the two-time defending champion Miami Heat.
But the Philadelphia 76ers may have the most issues of any team in the league.
These are turbulent times in South Philadelphia.
The Sixers finished 34-48 just one season removed from extending the Boston Celtics to seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Their prized possession, center Andrew Bynum, practiced just once and never was able to don a Philadelphia uniform because of bilateral bone bruises on both knees in addition to weakened cartilage.
A blockbuster four-team, 12-player trade that had the likes of Andre Iguodala sent to the Denver Nuggets and Maurice Harkless and Nikola Vucevic shipped to the Orlando Magic never materialized for the Sixers. The 2012-13 season began with an introductory press conference at The National Constitution Center with Bynum high-fiving adoring Sixers fans.
Unfortunately, his knees were never healthy and the Sixers sputtered through a frustrating season.
After the season concluded, coach Doug Collins announced he was stepping down. A new coach still has not been named.
Sixers CEO Adam Aron is reportedly out, though the Sixers have denied everything and an official announcement has yet to be made.
Sam Hinkie was named as the Sixers' new president and general manager on May 14 and he'll have plenty of work to do in reshaping this franchise. But he has been very quiet thus far.
The Sixers possess three draft picks -- No. 11 in the first round as well as two second-round selections -- No. 35 and No. 42.
Their predraft workouts have been conducted in private for the first time in many years, so it's hard to speculate which direction they'll be heading during the NBA Draft on Thursday night.
Philadelphia has eight players under contract, so there are roster spots remaining. While they don't have a top-10 pick, there are plenty of talented players who can contribute immediately.
Since it's a long shot that Bynum re-signs with the Sixers, they could use a big man to complement Spencer Hawes. Solid options include Gonzaga's Kelly Olynyk, Indiana's Cody Zeller and Pittsburgh's Steven Adams. All three players are 7-footers with tons of potential.
If they look for a guard, Lehigh sharpshooter C.J. McCollum and Syracuse point guard Michael Carter-Williams both would fit in very well. Neither player is likely to make a significant impact right away, but both could fill needs in 2013-14.
All-Star Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner played heavy minutes in the backcourt last season and were clearly exhausted at the end. So was the rest of the team, which was hampered by injuries to a plethora of players, not just Bynum.
This much we know: the Sixers will add pieces to their team on Thursday night. But those players won't know the head coach. They may not know if Aron is still the CEO.
Questions, questions, questions.
The Sixers certainly have questions to be answered. Will they make a trade? Will they bring back Bynum? Will they reshuffle their front office?
Some of these questions may be answered Thursday night.
Stay tuned.
