I get that they picked up the 2021 Heat pick by trading down for Zhaire, but honestly, if I were the Sixers I would have just stuck with Mikal Bridges. Not only do you have the local angle (hometown kid makes good), but Bridges is more mature/experienced and ready to play now, which fits their timeline better. Even without the injury, you're still banking on upside from the raw Smith, but that could take a long while to develop.
Imagine last year's Sixers team with Bridges replacing Covington at the 3, and then also getting some contribution -- any -- from Fultz. That would have been a big leap forward for them.
Bridges wouldn't replace Covington and probably would have been the first wing off the bench.
His ceiling might be Covington. Better shooter but worse defender.
He's got a better release and far more consistent shot but as I watched more film the worse I found him on ball defensively and frankly his team defense, while great, is highly unlikely to be Covington (first team all D).
Smith is a better on ball defender, more althetic, much better first step and is multiple years younger. Smith has a huge ceiling, his handle and shot need work but imo he's as good as Bridges defensively, younger and with some self creation upside. He's a better passer too.
I like Bridges and he would have fit, but it's a major reach to see him as more than a very good role player. Zhaire has tremendous upside.
The window stuff is shrug. And picking up a good asset for a guy who has a higher ceiling, but a lower floor is good business to me
I think zhaire is younger, better on ball defender, more handle upside, better passer, better cutter and higher BBIQ
Bridges is a mildly better off ball defender and much better shooter (though he was worse than zhaire at his age)
Defensive rebounding wise I think similar, Bridges bigger but zhaire much more althetic. Offensive rebounding I think zhaire is elite today. Well if his foot wasn't broken