Just a lazy Friday at the office at PhillyVoice.com, and with NBA's free agency blitz set to start this coming weekend, the arguing and pontificating on the future of the Sixers was a topic of discussion.
Below is a snippet of a debate in a Slack channel between executive sports editor Evan Macy and deputy sports editor Matt Mullin arguing over which of the three biggest prizes Philadelphia should be swinging for.
- MORE ON THE SIXERS
- What LeBron declining his option means for Sixers
- Is Sixers' offseason a failure if they don't lure a star to Philly?
- Report: Sixers already submitted a trade offer for Kawhi Leonard
They are, of course, 33-year-old LeBron James (unrestricted free agent), 28-year-old Paul George (unrestricted free agent) and 27-year-old Kawhi Leonard (on the trade block in San Antonio. What should the Sixers do?
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Evan: Lets start with Paul George, who I'd honestly prefer of all three.
Matt: Really? Over LeBron?
Evan: Yes. Fit-wise. And future-wise
Matt: It’s LeBron. He’ll fit. Lol And you wouldn’t have to give up assets like you would with Kawhi.
Evan: Yes and then he will do this every year [assuming he signs another one-year deal]. And he will take over the front office.
Matt: It’s the best player in the history of the game, still in his prime. Give me the title and we’ll figure the rest out later.
Evan: I'd rather George for four years than LeBron for one.
Matt: They’d still have their core intact and could go after another star next year. I don’t think that’s enough to win.
Evan: Yeah, I don't think the Sixers with LeBron will beat Golden State. I am thinking three-to-four years down the line, they want to be the next dynasty.
Matt: I get that, but who knows what the rest of league will look like in three years. And I don't know if that’s even enough to beat Boston, honestly. Especially if they get Kawhi.
Evan: Honestly, if LeBron goes back to the Cavs for one more year that might be the best scenario in my opinion. Get LeBron one year later. And add a Paul George or Kawhi Leonard this year and let the youngsters grow. We have no idea what Markelle Fultz or Zhaire Smith will even be. That [plus Joel Embiid, Dario Saric and Ben Simmons] could be the damn starting five right there anyway.
Matt: Well yeah, but I’m assuming for this argument that if no LeBron this year, then no LBJ at all.
Evan: I will, I guess, admit that adding LeBron for $36 million for one year doesn't hurt the future. Trades and crazy over-extended signings in addition does.
Matt: Yeah that’s all I’m saying. And they get to keep that Miami pick and possibly use it in the future. They have options, for sure.
Evan: Which could be a pick we want, if it allows us to draft a high schooler in the lottery. LeBron James Jr. is the real prize!
Matt: Yeah. Gotta recruit him to my alma mater [Miami (FL)]
Evan: He's class of 2023, I think, which is a straight jump potentially.
Matt: Imagine him and LeBron on the same team like Ken Griffey and Junior?
Evan: Senior would be 38 when junior is 18. Very possible.
Matt: Absolutely. Omg, but imagine them playing against each other? Jr. guarding Sr. and vice-versa?
Evan: Not to take a tangent, but that's a great post. What would win the all junior or senior team of athletes?
Matt: Are there enough?
Evan: There's so many.
Matt: Woulda been perfect for Father’s Day.
Evan: Ugh you're right. I'll do it here anyway...
(For the record, here's what a starting five of father's and son's could look like):
| Fathers | Sons | |
| PG | Dell Curry | Steph Curry |
| SG | Joe Bryant | Kobe Bryant |
| SF | Rick Barry | Brent Barry |
| PF | Stan Love | Kevin Love |
| C | Bill Walton | Luke Walton |
(On the bench, Mychal & Klay Thompson, Dolph & Danny Schayes, Jimmy Walker & Jalen Rose, Bob & Danny Ferry, Glen Robinsons, Glen Rices, Tim Hardaways and more.)
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Now, back to our original debate...
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