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Sixers creating reasons for optimism

The one-sided traded for Nik Stauskas, following the drafting of Jahlil Okafor, has the rebuilding team on the right path.

Nik Stauskas is the type of player who can make an immediate impact. (Associated Press)
Nik Stauskas is the type of player who can make an immediate impact. (Associated Press)Read more(Associated Press)

WHILE 76ERS coach Brett Brown has done an unbelievable job of keeping players engaged during two campaigns that produced a combined 37-127 record, there seemed to be a lighter attitude at the team's practice facility yesterday.

Perhaps it was because this year's top draft pick, Jahlil Okafor, was on the floor for the first time with some teammates as the group gets ready for the Utah Summer League, which begins Monday. Perhaps it was due to the trade that president, general manager Sam Hinkie had pulled off late Wednesday night in which he acquired, among other things, an asset the team can use immediately in shooter Nik Stauskas.

While most of the first day of free agency saw big money dealt to big names (and to some smaller ones, too), with no involvement by the Sixers, Hinkie pulled off a move that many perceived as magician-like. He unloaded the rights to two overseas players (reportedly second-round picks Arturas Gudaitis and Luka Mitrovic) and a future second-round draft pick to the Sacramento Kings. In return, Hinkie stole last year's eighth overall pick, Stauskas, along with veterans Jason Thompson and Carl Landry. In addition, the Sixers have the right to swap first-round picks with the Kings in 2016 and 2017 and also will receive a protected first-round pick.

What was a salary-dump move by the Kings turned into what very well could be a treasure for the Sixers. Stauskas was considered one of the best shooters in last year's draft after his two seasons at Michigan. In his rookie season with the Kings, he averaged just 4.4 points and struggled with his shot most of the season. When playing time became more available after the All-Star Game, however, the 6-6 guard was more consistent, making 24 of his 57 three attempts (42.1 percent) after the break.

A source said the 6-11 Thompson and 6-9 Landry will have an opportunity to stay with the team.

While this process of rebuilding has mostly been about speculation and hope - from when Dario Saric will join the team and how well Joel Embiid's injured foot will recover - there is now a bit of light at the end of a very long and still mostly dark tunnel.

Is Stauskas the answer to what ails this team? Of course not, but he is a piece that can be used now and one that is needed. There is a reason he was taken with the eighth pick, and he possesses an NBA skill that this team sorely needs. The addition of Stauskas and Okafor in the past week makes the Sixers' future come more into focus. Those two give the team what may become a legitimate inside-out threat. Throw in Embiid and Nerlens Noel, and there could be four first-round picks on the floor next season and, well, pass the sunglasses because the future could be that bright.

Of course, there are still many questions to be answered, mostly surrounding the health of Embiid. The team hasn't given an update since releasing a statement on June 13 that Embiid's surgically repaired right foot wasn't healing as well as expected. Brown said earlier this week that an update should be pending, perhaps before the Utah invitees break camp and head west on Sunday.

If Embiid can play and gets through the season in relatively good health, how do all the pieces fit? Perhaps it's not as big (no pun intended) a problem as some may believe. Yes, the NBA has become a perimeter league with a champion that is the top model. But remember, it was just a few short years ago that the Sixers made a trade, failed though it was, for a big man in Andrew Bynum that had the city and the organization buzzing. At that time, building around a skilled big man seemed the best way to move the franchise toward championship contention. The Sixers now have three of them. Has the league changed so much in three summers that winning with big men is now a thing of the past?

Hardly, but the Sixers do have plenty of holes still to fill. Getting Stauskas is a tribute to the way Hinkie has acquired assets and monitored the salary cap. More shooters can be acquired with the excess of picks at Hinkie's disposal, starting with the next draft. A point guard or two is essential.

Hinkie has gotten to the position where he wants to be and is starting to fill some of the voids he created. He needs to hit home runs with draft picks from here on out. And making trades like the Wednesday's certainly seems like an extra-base hit.

Blog: ph.ly/Sixerville