Philadelphia 76ers president Bryan Colangelo addresses offseason strategy

Philadephia 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo recently revealed the Sixers' mindset heading into the offseason.

At the league's recent draft lottery, the Philadelphia 76ers landed the third overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. While another high-end pick is worthy of much discussion, it's not the only thing on the mind of Sixers' president of basketball operations, Bryan Colangelo.

Following a season that saw the Sixers rise from 10 to 28 wins, there is naturally much excitement surrounding the future of the organization. Despite the complete absence of 2016 No.1 overall pick, Ben Simmons, and just 31 games from emerging superstar, Joel Embiid, the Sixers managed to put the league on notice that they are going to be a force to be reckoned with.

Colangelo recently sat down with Brian Seltzer of Sixers.com following the draft lottery to discuss the implications of landing the third overall pick moving forward.

Landing the No.3 pick

Naturally, Colangelo was quite upbeat at the prospect of the Sixers landing a top-three selection for the fourth consecutive season.

"Were happy that we came out of here with a top pick…Moving up from the 4 pick to the 3 pick through the swap rights was really beneficial in a number of ways…We're in a position to make decisions now ahead of a couple of teams that may have taken a name off the board that we were high on."

The swap rights, of course, relates to the virtual swindling move pulled off two years ago by Colangelo's predecessor, Sam Hinkie, with the Sacramento Kings. While Colangelo sounded quite optimistic that they would use the pick, he also highlighted the flexibility the high draft pick provides the franchise in general:

"The third pick is a solid place to be. It's a combination of both (need and talent) – need and fit is certainly going to factor in to a larger degree than in the past."

"Defense, pace and space" is now synonymous as Sixers' head coach Brett Brown's mantra in terms of the style of play he wants to install as their calling card. So in terms of selecting for need, shooting is an area that has been highlighted frequently since the Sixers' season finished last month. With a loaded draft and plenty of players still left on the board at pick three, trading down could also be an option with such a strong draft class.

In a separate interview with 97.3 ESPN South Jersey, Colangelo addressed the general mindset of the franchise moving forward:

"Everything we are doing now is preparing us to win and preparing us to win in steps that are not long-term steps – in that it's short-term planning with long-term implications.

We want to win now and we want to improve."

With this is mind, the free agency period is the next important step this summer.

Free agency

Despite winning just 28 games, and the extended absences of Embiid and Simmons, many prospective free agents, according to Colangelo, are placing the Sixers on their list as possible destinations this summer and beyond:

"….there's a number of positive indications that we are on everyone's radar. Perhaps not ready to close the deal officially as a No.1 destination for a top-tier free agent…but the tide is turning."

Colangelo went onto explain that this stems from two fronts: the excellent work put in by coach Brown and his staff, and the excellent initiatives brought in off the court, led by owner Josh Harris and the rest of the ownership group.

"People have taken notice in the way the team plays, the style of play, the effort with which they play. The most meaningful part of it all is the chance to come here and win.

We're definitely entering a new phase of attractiveness and marketability…we're on everyone's radar."

The fact that Colangelo mentioned the word "winning" multiple times throughout the discussion should be heartening for all involved with the Sixers, from the front office to the players to the fans. Following a combined 47 wins over three seasons, last season finally revealed some light at the end of the tunnel.

So if the Sixers' core pieces can stay healthy, and the win total continues to rise, the 76ers will soon become a step closer to being the No.1 destination for prospective free agents for many summers to come.