Philadelphia 76ers: Could They Have Made Their Own Super Team?
As the trade deadline has passed and many teams are now starting to place playoff bids, the Sixers did not take any action in trades (not that it's a bad thing).
One the biggest talked about aspects of trades in the NBA is when teams decide to make their own "big three."
It first started with the Boston Celtics and then the Miami Heat. The Knicks carried on by getting Melo and now this is has become the biggest goal for every GM.
So what am I getting at here?
I am trying to say that the Sixers could have taken part in this as well by acquiring Danny Granger and Chris Paul and still keep Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand.
Yes it is true and it was possible.
*Note: All of these deals would have worked out financially if it were before the deadline.*
Trade for Chris Paul
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Hornets get: Jrue Holiday (I know, it's hard), Thaddeus Young and a first round pick
Sixers get: Chris Paul
Why both teams do it: OK, obviously the Sixers do it because they are getting one of the best point guards in today's game. The real explanation is why the Hornets give up such a player of Paul's caliber.
There are a few reasons why the Hornets would do this deal. First off, Paul isn't very happy in New Orleans and as soon as his contract is up, he will walk away...for absolutely nothing.
So if the Hornets know that Paul won't be there for too much longer, they might as well get a solid young point guard for him and Holiday is the best option out there.
Plus, the Hornets like young point guards like Holiday (a la Darren Collison). Holiday would be a nice fit with them (I'd hate to see him go, but it's for the best of the Sixers' franchise).
Not only are the Hornets receiving Holiday, but they are also getting a solid forward in Thaddeus Young, plus a first rounder. If you think about it, it could be a good deal for the Hornets in the long run.
They would have two first rounders this upcoming draft and they would have a basis of Holiday, Young and Marco Belinelli. They could possibly blow up their team and trade away David West and Emeka Okafor for some young talent or draft picks.
It really opens up a lot of options for them and it benefits the Sixers as well.
Trade for Danny Granger
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Sixers get: Danny Granger
Pacers get: Evan Turner, Marreese Speights and Andres Nocioni
Why both teams do it: Once again, it's obvious why the Sixers make this deal.
The Pacers would do this trade for numerous reasons. One thing that people don't remember is that Indiana wanted to trade up for the second pick with the Sixers during last year's draft (that's right, to get Evan Turner).
The Pacers currently have some young players in Darren Collison, Roy Hibbert and first round pick Paul George (who I think has a lot of potential). Turner would be a good fit at the shooting guard for these guys.
The Pacers really aren't built to win now, so they might as well build for the future around some highly potential stars.
The Starting Five and What It Could Have Been
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The new and improved starting five:
PG Chris Paul
SG/SF Danny Granger
SG/SF Andre Iguodala
PF Elton Brand
C Spencer Hawes
Just look take a moment and take in that lineup. I don't know about you, but that lineup is extremely versatile and could take down any team in the league.
With this lineup, Andre Iguodala would have been the greatest complementary player in the league hands down (Scottie Pippen-like). Iggy would gel great with Granger and Paul would be dishing out assists left and right.
And let's not forget about the Brand's talent on the post. Brand has made a huge rebound this season and would have been having an even better one with these guys. he would be mooching off of a light defense because they would be so worried about the other three.
Obviously the weak spot lays in Hawes, but what center wouldn't want to come here with a team like this?
Why They'd Be Better Than the Heat
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This team would work out much better than the Heat. In Miami, there are three superstars where everyone wants the ball in their hands, their positions don't work out and they just can't gel with one another.
LeBron isn't the right player to play next to Wade. To be completely honest, the Heat probably could have been better off with just Wade and Bosh.
But Paul, Granger and Iggy are a completely different story.
First off, Paul is a point guard and does a great job of distributing the basketball. Iguodala could do a tremendous job of as a complement like he did with Team USA this past summer and the bulk of scoring would come from Granger.
This "big three" provides a flow. The Heat's "big three"...not so much.
Conclusion
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Although it was possible, the chances were obviously very slim. I'm not saying that this was close to happening, I'm just saying that it could have happened. I just think it's a very intriguing thought on what could have happened.
Some of the players you saw in the deals like Nocioni are only in the deal to make it work out financially.
So who knows?
Maybe this could be one of those "best that never was" stories that no one has ever come to think about.
