NBA Free Agency: 5 ways the Leonard-DeRozan trade will change the dynamics of the 2018-19 season

#3 The Process hits a snag it had no control over

Philadelphia 76ers Media Day

The Philadelphia 76ers went through a long and arduous tanking process that lasted 4 years in order to obtain the 3 talents that are there in this picture, in addition to failed bets like Michael Carter-Williams and Jahlil Okafor, among others. They could have completed the process this summer by trading for Kawhi, using Robert Covington as one of the centerpieces of the trade. They were also involved in the LeBron sweepstakes, though it was clear from the start that he would probably head to the Lakers.

Having broken through last year and made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs, big things were expected of their young core. A 4-1 series loss to the Celtics, however, raised some questions about what their ceiling really was, considering the Cs didn't have their two best players available for the series.

Now with Toronto strengthened for at least one season by the Kawhi trade, the Sixers may have to be content with another Conference semis loss - both Toronto and Boston are clearly better-constructed rosters as of now.