NBA Season Preview 2018-19: 5 best asset collections

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 26: Head coach Brett Brown, Dario Saric /

5. Philadelphia 76ers

If the Tatum/Fultz trade never happens, they’re number one on this list, easy.

(Quick aside: that trade has a fighting chance to be the best NBA “what if” of this century. “What if the Lakers traded Kobe” is the leader in the clubhouse, although “what if Steph’s ankles didn’t allow the Warriors to sign him to a grossly below market deal” is gaining steam, with “what if [Team X] drafted Donovan Mitchell” looming as a dark horse. I’m setting the over/under on championships swung by the Tatum trade at 2.5.)

If the dearly departed Bryan Colangelo never makes that deal, the Sixers would not only be sitting on Brown (more on him in a bit), but the Kings pick (now likely headed to Boston) and – assuming they made the same 2018 draft night swap with the Suns – the Heat’s unprotected 2021 pick as well. Dario Saric continues to be criminally underrated, and they have a bunch of useful expirings including Wilson Chandler, Jerryd Bayless, Mike Muscala and JJ Redick (who has veto power over any trade).

Even without Tatum and the Kings pick, Philly still has a bunch to offer without bringing up the names of their two cornerstone pieces, both of whom are as untouchable as any player in the league. This ranking could also fluctuate more than any other here depending on Fultz, who the entire league will be watching as closely as anyone once the season tips off.