2015-16 Finish: 63-19, top in the league

Season Highlight:

For the second straight season the Sixers finished the regular season with the league's top record, this time edging out the Celtics by one win.

In the playoffs they romped through the first two rounds, with only a single loss. They also defended their home-court in the first two games of the Conference Finals against the Celtics, looking poised for another finals appearance.

Season Lowlight:

But unlike the previous season against the Hawks, this time the Sixers dropped the deciding game seven on their own floor, allowing the Celtics to move on to the finals in their stead.

Best Trade:

The Detroit Pistons send Pau Gasol and Devin Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Philadelphia 76ers send Joakim Noah and T.J. McConnell to the Phoenix Suns. The Phoenix Suns send Josh McRoberts to the Detroit Pistons. The Phoenix Suns send Patrick Beverley to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs send Tiago Splitter to the Detroit Pistons. The Philadelphia 76ers send a 1st-Rounder (Orl) to the Detroit Pistons. The San Antonio Spurs send a 1st-Rounder (Phi) to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Within three days the Sixers solidified their center position by acquiring current star Gasol and future star Gobert. Noah, who had held down the fort for the Sixers for the previous three seasons, was out with an injured shoulder at that point, would be shut down for the season shortly after. Philly dodged a bullet there.

Worst Trade:

The LA Clippers send Shelvin Mack to the Philadelphia 76ers. The LA Clippers receive 6 GM points. The Philadelphia 76ers trade -6 GM points.

Tough to find any bad trades in dave's history. The soup is thin here too, but Mack never suited up for the Sixers. He was shipped off to Orlando before the season even started.

Other Notable Trades:

The Atlanta Hawks send Rudy Gobert to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Atlanta Hawks send a 2nd-Rounder (Atl) and 2nd-Rounder (Atl) to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Philadelphia 76ers send a 1st-Rounder (NO) and 1st-Rounder (Orl) to the Atlanta Hawks. The Philadelphia 76ers use their trade exception over $ 1,175,880. The Atlanta Hawks trade -3 GM points.The Philadelphia 76ers receive 3 GM points.

The Sixers paid a price to acquire Gobert. But the guy is worth it and Dave just loves french centers.

The Philadelphia 76ers send Kevon Looney and Andrew Harrison to the Chicago Bulls. The Chicago Bulls send a 1st-Rounder (Chi) to the Philadelphia 76ers.

We convered this in the Bulls' article. Another likely lottery pick for the price of a laaaate first-rounder.

Best FA Signing:

Scola has never played for a team other than the Sixers. Despite opting for free-agency, dave convinced him to return on a one-year deal. Looks like Scola will try to get away a second time next week.

The Sixers swooped in with 40-something GM points to snatch up the early NBA season sensation and steal him away from the Warriors. Of course he barely played for the Sixers instead of starting for the Warriors and was then shipped out to Phoenix in the Gasol deal.

Worst FA Signing:

Dedmon signed on for an easy ring. That didn't pan out. He finished the season starting twenty games for the lowly Pistons.

Star:

Dame had a second straight season averaging 20+ppg. Doesn't sound too impressive, but considering all the talent on the Sixers' squad, it is tough for anyone to get numbers consistently. He now goes from being underpaid in the last year of his rookie scale contract to being one of the top earners in the entire league at over $24 million.

Not to mention all the dough he will be making selling records.

Goat:

Who could be the Goat on a 66-wins squad? Maybe the guy, who chocked when it mattered most. McCollum scored three points on 1-9 shooting in that game seven loss to the Celtics.

Draft Report Card:

There were a lot of trades made by Sixers before the draft. They ended up with one player. Domatas Sabonis, who was selected 12th. He could turn out to be another top-notch selection in the late lottery slots by the Sixers, like Lillard and Kwahi before him. He already has a starting gig with the OKC Thunder.

Looking to the Future:

The Sixers have the finest mix of veterans young and old, who make this the team once again the team to beat in the East, and young lottery talent that will cement that status quo for years to come.

Their bench features top draft picks McLemore and Jabari Parker. Both potential 20-point scorers, as well as Gobert, Sabonis and Sophomore Oubre.

Upcoming Free Agents:

The Sixers only have to worry about two players. Gasol and Scola. Gasol will be ushered back, no question about that. Scola will likely hit free agency again. What happens there is anyone's guess.

Free Agents Targets:

With a full MLE at their disposal and only one spot to fill, the Sixers can lavish it on one player. Although Lillard is very durable, a third point guard likely wouldn't hurt. Brandon Jennings has all the talent in the world, but he isn't a good fit for the team-first Sixers.

Expect them to grab the best MLE player out there, who doesn't command a max-level GM point commitment, regardless of position. Maybe that will be Scola. But he is again on a one-year deal and getting old.