The 76ers traded two second-round picks – Denver’s 2016 and Philadelphia’s 2017 – for Ish Smith.
Was this Jerry Colangelo’s first show of power over a deposed Sam Hinkie?
Apparently, Philadelphia’s other new hire pushed it.
John Reid of The Times Picayune:
Even if D’Antoni was the driving force behind this trade, Colangelo’s involvement is evident for a couple reasons.
1. This trade is so far outside Hinkie’s track record.
Smith will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, and he’ll sign with whichever team presents him the best offer. That could have just as easily been the 76ers without trading for him as with trading for him.
So, what’s the point of giving up assets for him now?
The 1-30 76ers aren’t going to win anything of note this season. They’re still strong favorites for the No. 1 seed in the lottery, but a little Philadelphia improvement could put the Lakers and Nets in the race.
Hinkie has always valued long-term asset collection over insignificant short-term gains. At some point, Hinkie would have turned focus to the present, but surely not with the 76ers already 1-30 and not by acquiring such a fringe player.
2. D’Antoni and Colangelo are allies, having worked together with the Suns. If D’Antoni wanted Smith, it’d make sense the associate coach would go through Colangelo.
Philadelphia was notoriously weak at point guard with Kendall Marshall and since-waived Tony Wroten just getting healthy and Isaiah Canaan and T.J. McConnell not being ready for major roles. The speedy Smith fits D’Antoni’s up-tempo system and could help create looks for Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor.
But at what cost?
These second-rounders are better than just throwaway picks. The Nuggets are near the bottom of the league this season, and I doubt the 76ers will a huge leap in the standings next season.
Most coaches focus on the present, and Smith helps D’Antoni now. Likewise, the 76ers hired Colangelo to bring immediate credibility.
Smith nudges the 76ers toward that, but losing those second-rounders hurts more in long run.
This trade just reeks of a coach’s influence. D’Antoni was fortunate to have Colangelo in the front office to make the deal actually happen, because I’m nearly certain Hinkie never would have traded those picks for Smith.