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The Philadelphia 76ers are in the third season of Sam Hinkie's rebuilding project with no turnaround in sight.

The way they have treated players, agents and possibly other teams may be the most problematic part of the process long-term.

"Their inability to establish a rapport with agents and probably with other teams is definitely going to lead to their demise," an agent said of the Sixers' regime.

"When you're building a business culture, you're dealing with human beings," another prominent agent said. "Especially with athletes, you've got to have a rapport with these guys. It's a culture of communication and transparency, and none of that exists."

"There's nobody there, and nobody will go there," an agent said. "Nobody. Cap space won't matter. You know who'll go there? Guys that are trying to steal money."

Via Ken Berger/CBS Sports

This is just an upset agent because the Sixers aren't using their cap space to sign free agents. That will change in time and the agents will steer their clients towards the money just like always. And they make trades with other teams all the time so I'm not even sure wha that means.

The_Hater wrote:This is just an upset agent because the Sixers aren't using their cap space to sign free agents. That will change in time and the agents will steer their clients towards the money just like always. And they make trades with other teams all the time so I'm not even sure wha that means.

Yeah, this doesn't have too much weight coming from a single agent. I tend to think that a) money generally talks and b) any perceived disrespect will be forgotten if the Sixers become a solid team. Right now the fact that they're a really bad team makes it hard for them to land desirable FAs, and that could be a problem for the next couple years. All depends on the draft picks--if those end up being real difference makers then everything will be fine. If the picks underwhelm then they'll continue to be a weak FA destination. Can't see 'bad rapport' with some agent really getting in the way of a player taking the best deal available.

HotelVitale wrote:

The_Hater wrote:This is just an upset agent because the Sixers aren't using their cap space to sign free agents. That will change in time and the agents will steer their clients towards the money just like always. And they make trades with other teams all the time so I'm not even sure wha that means.

Yeah, this doesn't have too much weight coming from a single agent. I tend to think that a) money generally talks and b) any perceived disrespect will be forgotten if the Sixers become a solid team. Right now the fact that they're a really bad team makes it hard for them to land desirable FAs, and that could be a problem for the next couple years. All depends on the draft picks--if those end up being real difference makers then everything will be fine. If the picks underwhelm then they'll continue to be a weak FA destination. Can't see 'bad rapport' with some agent really getting in the way of a player taking the best deal available.

They're not even trying to sign free agents with their cap space right now. They're saving it. Hence the reason some agents would be frustrated.

The_Hater wrote:

HotelVitale wrote: I tend to think that a) money generally talks and b) any perceived disrespect will be forgotten if the Sixers become a solid team. Right now the fact that they're a really bad team makes it hard for them to land desirable FAs, and that could be a problem for the next couple years. All depends on the draft picks--if those end up being real difference makers then everything will be fine. If the picks underwhelm then they'll continue to be a weak FA destination. Can't see 'bad rapport' with some agent really getting in the way of a player taking the best deal available.

They're not even trying to sign free agents with their cap space right now. They're saving it. Hence the reason some agents would be frustrated.

Right, but that will stop in a year or two and they'll need to make use of FA like most rebuilding teams. That's when this issue (and these comments) will be tested.

On another note, my guess is this might be Mbah a Moute's agent, or maybe Ish Smith's. Both played pretty well last year in pretty big roles, and neither was offered another deal.

The problem with the PHI model isn't the model itself, its their execution combined with a little bit of bad luck.

I didnt like the MCW selection, and there are several players taken after him who are excelling. Embiid is the bad luck, as he could be a top talent if healthy. But never is. And no one jumps out as a great talent taken after him. I think they are regretting taking Okafor as well, with Zinger playing really well.

If Okafor was Zinger, and MCW was the Greek Freak, you have an incredibly long and talented frontcourt in Giannis/Zinger/Noel going forward. Instead its only Okafor and Noel, with them filling in the gaps with at best role players in the NBA. A better talent evaluator than Hinkie could take this model and do some serious damage with it.

FNQ wrote:The problem with the PHI model isn't the model itself, its their execution combined with a little bit of bad luck.

I didnt like the MCW selection, and there are several players taken after him who are excelling. Embiid is the bad luck, as he could be a top talent if healthy. But never is. And no one jumps out as a great talent taken after him. I think they are regretting taking Okafor as well, with Zinger playing really well.

If Okafor was Zinger, and MCW was the Greek Freak, you have an incredibly long and talented frontcourt in Giannis/Zinger/Noel going forward. Instead its only Okafor and Noel, with them filling in the gaps with at best role players in the NBA. A better talent evaluator than Hinkie could take this model and do some serious damage with it.

I want to bash my head against the wall every time I hear someone calling him "Zing" or "Zinger." Worst nicknames ever.

Hindsight is 20/20 with the talent evaluation, Hinkie has always taken the consensus best guy on the board. However, he definitely could improve on out of the box picks. He'll have 3 or 4 this draft, time to put up or shut up.

As far as the article goes, I agree that it sounds like Ish Smith's agent. Or possibly Andrei Kirilenko's? Man, you go against the norm and you draw all kinds of crap

There's more to being an agent than money. Players generally know what they're going to make because the player's associations give agents and players the figures for players with similar statistical measures.

The reason agents would be upset with Philly is because this is a work environment. People forget that all the time. Your clients need SOME semblance of security that they won't have to move their lives cross country because this GM thinks he's a genius.

The money will be there for players regardless. Agents generally don't want to deal with disgruntled, unhappy players with no chance of kickers activating in their contracts like All NBA selections, playoffs, all-star selections, etc. Philly is a friggin mess and that's why agents are saying they're over it with Hinkie.

HotelVitale wrote:

The_Hater wrote:

HotelVitale wrote: I tend to think that a) money generally talks and b) any perceived disrespect will be forgotten if the Sixers become a solid team. Right now the fact that they're a really bad team makes it hard for them to land desirable FAs, and that could be a problem for the next couple years. All depends on the draft picks--if those end up being real difference makers then everything will be fine. If the picks underwhelm then they'll continue to be a weak FA destination. Can't see 'bad rapport' with some agent really getting in the way of a player taking the best deal available.

They're not even trying to sign free agents with their cap space right now. They're saving it. Hence the reason some agents would be frustrated.

Right, but that will stop in a year or two and they'll need to make use of FA like most rebuilding teams. That's when this issue (and these comments) will be tested.

On another note, my guess is this might be Mbah a Moute's agent, or maybe Ish Smith's. Both played pretty well last year in pretty big roles, and neither was offered another deal.

A yr or two? Being overly optimistic