The Philadelphia 76ers made a decision a few years ago that is now looking like a major misstep—and it's coming back to haunt them in the playoffs.

Julian Champagnie, a former Sixers player who was waived in 2023, is now making waves for the San Antonio Spurs in the postseason. And the reason behind his release? It might be the most head-scratching move in recent memory.

The 76ers cut Champagnie to make room for Mac McClung—specifically so McClung could represent the team in the NBA Dunk Contest. At the time, it seemed like a harmless roster shuffle. But fast forward to today, and the decision has not aged well.

McClung played just two regular-season games for Philadelphia during that stint. Champagnie, meanwhile, has blossomed into a reliable contributor for a Spurs team that's making noise in the playoffs. He's a career 37.5% three-point shooter, bringing length and floor spacing to San Antonio's rotation.

In the Spurs' first-round closeout game earlier this week, Champagnie dropped 19 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished three assists—shooting 6-for-9 from the field and an impressive 5-for-7 from beyond the arc. That's the kind of production any team would love, especially in high-stakes games.

To be fair, Champagnie was undrafted out of St. John's and played only two games for the Sixers before being let go. At the time, it wasn't an obvious miss. But hindsight is 20/20, and the 76ers sure could use a player like him now—especially since they didn't keep McClung around for long either.

It's a reminder that in the NBA, every roster move matters. And sometimes, the smallest decisions can have the biggest consequences.