Factory Of Sadness
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Cavs: 3 uncomfortable truths made clear from the 2021 playoffs

By Chad Porto

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes up for a shot during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 2, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes up for a shot during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 2, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center on February 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center on February 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The “Process” doesn’t work

Tanking for draft picks is not a method of successful team building. Eventually, you’re going to have to justify your moves, otherwise, the entire thing is nerfed. The Process as its been called started in 2013. The 76ers went from 34 wins, and a young All-Star point guard in Jrue  Holliday in 2013, to 19 wins in 2014 and Michael Carter-Williams as Rookie of the Year. The 76ers, much like the Cavs, traded away asset after asset to strengthen their draft stock.

Over the course of that entire time, the 76ers added Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel, Elfrid Payton, Jerami Grant, Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz, and Mikal Bridges to name a few, most were traded. Some on draft night, others not long after. Of all those players, only two; Simmons and Embiid remain on the team.

The team swapped, flipped, or gave up on every other player they drafted. Not even for anything they still have either. They’re all wasted picks.

The Cavs are doing something similar. The team made their first mistake in drafting Kevin Porter Jr, and then they traded him away for next to nothing. The Cavs then bought out Andre Drummond, knowing full well no team was going to trade for him due to his massive contract and inability to play as he deserved it. The team is now also looking at moving on from Collin Sexton and is apparently open to trading away other young players to expedite the rebuild.

It’s like watching the 76ers meltdown all over.

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