If not Noel, Sixers wanted Bennett or Oladipo

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Everywhere you turn at the Amway Arena during NBA Summer League play, there are conversations taking place in hushed voices off in the corners of the practice gym. General managers are talking to agents; coaches are talking to other coaches; writers are talking to anyone who will give them a scoop.

And one NBA front-office source shared a tidbit about the Sixers and draft night. The deal with New Orleans was in place days before the draft rolled around.

Three names would have supposedly gotten the deal done: Anthony Bennett, Victor Oladipo and Nerlens Noel. Bennett went first to the Cavaliers. Oladipo was selected second by Orlando, and fortunately for the Sixers, Noel was still on the board when the Pelicans picked at No. 6.

What is interesting about the draftees they liked is that all three play a different position. Noel is a center, Bennett a power forward, and Oladipo a shooting guard. It seems unlikely that acquiring Bennett or Oladipo would have done anything to stop the Sixers selecting Michael Carter-Williams at No. 11.

This gives insight into the workings of the draft and how deals get done on that night -- it hardly happens in a five-minute window. Plans and contingency plans are mapped out in advance.

Sam Hinkie is definitely a thinker and a planner and his thoroughness has impressed his boss in the brief time he has been on the job.

“My first impression is he is fantastic,” owner Joshua Harris said. “My first impression was we were getting a super smart, hardworking, very focused, world-class GM, and that is exactly what we got. I like to say I was playing checkers and he is playing chess. He is thinking about five moves ahead, so I am learning a lot about basketball from interacting with him.”

Just as he was in 2012, Harris was in the war room on draft night when the Sixers made that trade with New Orleans and later acquired Carter-Williams, Arsalan Kezemi and two future second-round picks.

“I got down there early afternoon and was there until two in the morning,” Harris said. “I was there because when it comes to very significant decisions like some of those that were made on draft night, I am going to be around and focused.”

Another topic drifting in and out of conversations this week is the Sixers' head coaching vacancy. Have the Sixers hired a coach yet? When are the Sixers going to hire a coach? Those phrases have been heard time and again.

The coaching fraternity is tight, whether we are talking about head coaches or assistants, and the summer league is where they get to enjoy each other’s company and share ideas or just friendly conversation.

One member of that coaching fraternity confirmed that Dave Fizdale -- Miami's assistant coach said to be on the Sixers head coach radar -- has not been contacted by the organization.

If anyone has been contacted to fill that position remains a mystery.

Where is Nancy Drew when I need her?

Summer League schedule
The Sixers had a closed practice Tuesday. They were not scheduled to play a game but will resume playing Wednesday at 1 p.m. when they take on Oklahoma City.

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