Parker Cane and Lear Asplundh
Staff Writers
After a 51-31 2019 NBA season, the Sixers hoped to win a championship with the transactions made during the season. The Sixers made two key trades to emphasize their win now mentality and complete the process. The team made some major trades. In November, they traded Dario Saric, Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second round pick, for Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton. Then just before the trade deadline, they acquired Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott, in exchange for Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, the Sixers own 2020 first round pick, and the Miami Heat's unprotected first round pick in 2021 and two second round picks in 2021 and 2023. Finally, they traded Markelle Fultz to the Orlando Magic, for Jonathon Simmons, and a first and second round pick.
This resulted in the Sixers reaching the third seed for the second consecutive year. In the playoffs, the 76ers defeated the Brooklyn Nets in the first round in five games, winning four straight to end Brooklyn’s season. However, they didn't go as deep as they would have liked after losing to the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games due to a Kawhi Leonard buzzer beater miracle in Game 7. This left Sixers fans heartbroken heading into the offseason.
The Sixers look to improve in the off season and to become stronger and smarter. They will look to keep Jimmy Butler and possibly Tobias Harris but both these players have the player option, meaning they can go wherever they want and the Sixers can do nothing about their decision. However, the Sixers can offer Butler a special “supermax” which includes a five-year $220 million contract. The 76ers will now try next year to get to the championship and win it for the city of Philly.
