Were are under an hour away from the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery and things in Philadelphia are getting crazy. Xfinity Live! is hosting a draft lottery party and they just raised a banner of former general manager, Sam Hinkie.
Sam Hinkie goes into the rafters. Thank you Sam. pic.twitter.com/O2zMTxyj9F
— Jake Pavorsky (@JakePavorsky) May 16, 2017
Hinkie was the leader of the process since he was hired in 2014. His first move was trading Jrue Holiday to New Orleans in the draft for Nerlens Noel. He continued to put the Sixers in good draft position throughout his tenure, dealing Michael Carter-Williams for a Lakers protected first round pick that could convey tonight. If not, it will convey next year. Hinkie also worked out trades that sent KJ McDaniels, Thaddeus Young, Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes out of town for rent-a-players and draft pick assets.
By far one of the biggest deals he made was trading Elfriid Payton to the Magic for the rights to Dario Saric, who had a phenomenal rookie year with the Sixers during the 2016-17 season. His trade with the Kings to acquire Nik Stauskas and draft picks was highway robbery as well.
Sure, he led an era of tanking, but the Sixers are now armed with draft picks aplenty and the ability to develop their young team even more with top talent in this years' draft.
