Bob Cooney, not a shit-stirrer and one of the more plugged in local beat writers, speculates about the Sixers trading the number one pick. From Philly.com:

But what if? What if the reports of the Sixers talking to the Knicks about Kristaps Porzingas have more meat than we know? What if that No. 1 pick is more enticing to Knicks president Phil Jackson than the player the team took just after Jahlil Okafor in 2015? Would a frontcourt pairing of Embiid and Porzingis excite Colangelo enough to think of parting with his recently received gift from Boston – which is what it was because of how little he gave in return? What if the ghost of Evan Turner past still looms around the Sixers’ organization? Many thought he and Jrue Holiday were going to be backcourt mates for ten years here when Turner was gotten with the second pick, but that just didn’t work out.

Perhaps the Sixers get involved in the trade talks that involve Indiana’s Paul George. A couple of reports had the Sixers peripherally involved, winding up with Cavaliers forward Kevin Love in a multiple team trade. That would give the team a stretch four who can rebound and would be the ultimate outlet man for a team that wants to run as much as possible. The Sixers would only have to pay Love for two more years and then could decide how they would move ahead.

There is a reason the Celtics decided to move out of the No. 1 spot and Fultz. Reports say that they were not happy with a lack of explosiveness. He did suffer a mysterious knee injury last season that cost him six games. Fultz said all is good when he worked out for the Sixers last Saturday and that there are no knee issues, but what if Colangelo has some concerns about that?

First of all, Adam correctly predicted on the podcast the eventual whisper campaign over Fultz’s injuries, which by all accounts are not a concern.

Cooney gives the Sixers trading the number one pick only a 5% chance of happening, but he doesn’t dismiss it summarily. I wouldn’t do it for Porzingis. I hate the notion of giving up the perfect fit in Fultz. But if the Sixers can get Porzingis for basically anything else, excluding Embiid and Simmons, then yeah, go ahead. Having Porzingis would also provide a bit of an insruance policy against Embiid getting injured.

I most certainly wouldn’t trade the number one pick for Love. HOWEVER, while many Process folks are dismissing the Love talk, I think there is something there. Most likely getting Love would require a first round pick this year, but I’m sure there’s a possible three-team scenario out there to get Paul George or Jimmy Butler to the Cavs where a team with assets and cap space would get Love for something less.

Love is only 28, has two years remaining on his contract (with a third year player option), and can rebound and shoot the three. He would both fit in the Sixers rotation (quite perfectly) and he doesn’t work against their timeline, since he doesn’t tie up money long-term and, also, because he’s not that old. I’m more intrigued by this than I am Porzingis, if only because it wouldn’t cost as much.