The Sixers acquired Buddy Hield from the Pacers on Thursday, which helps them with shooting and scoring, but Philadelphia needs to focus on getting back some toughness and defense on the buyout market, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Some of that toughness was lost when the team traded Patrick Beverley to the Bucks, according to Pompey, but the Sixers made that move with the confidence they’d be able to land guard depth via free agency.
All signs point to Hornets point guard Kyle Lowry landing in Philadelphia. Lowry, who is expected to be bought out after the Heat traded him in exchange for Terry Rozier earlier in the season, previously played for Nick Nurse on Toronto’s 2019 title team and is a Philadelphia native. While the Lakers are another potential destination, the Sixers feel good about bringing him in, according to Pompey.
Philadelphia has three open roster spots after the deadline and adding another center to the mix should be another priority, Pompey writes. With Joel Embiid out due to a long-term injury, Paul Reed and Mohamed Bamba are holding down the fort at the center position. Not many pure centers are on the buyout market yet, but Robin Lopez and Danilo Gallinari are among big men who were recently bought out. Bismack Biyombo is another option on the free agency market.
We have more notes on the Sixers:
- The Sixers are enthusiastic about the acquisition of Hield, whom general manager Daryl Morey believes is the best player among those traded on Thursday, according to Pompey. “I felt like he gave us exactly what we were looking for, which is that he’s one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history,” Morey said. “We really like what he adds to the team and we feel like our healthy group, our playoff rotation, with Buddy Hield is right there with everyone in the entire league.” Morey also pointed out that not many bigs were traded, and the reason the Sixers didn’t address that position via trade was due to a lack of options.
- Morey is hopeful Embiid will be back this season after suffering a meniscus injury that is expected to keep him out of action for one or two months, according to PHLY Sports’ Derek Bodner (Twitter link). “We’re hopeful,” Morey said. “Feedback has been more good than bad…so we’re hopeful, and we’re building the team to make it better this year. We’re hopeful he can get back to that [MVP level]. We feel we got a real shot.“
- Philadelphia surprised some by trading away 21-year-old guard Jaden Springer, who seemed to just be coming into his own, for a second-round pick. Morey explained the decision by saying the Sixers felt Springer may not be ready to contribute in the playoffs by the end of his rookie contract, while the second-round pick they got for him could potentially be used to trade for a veteran next season, according to Bodner (Twitter link). “We want things that can help us out on the court now with Joel,” Morey said (Twitter link via PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck). “... For me, the Jaden thing was successful.“
Morey comes off like a guy who is trying to sell you a ponzi scheme.
Morey is stealing money from the sixers. He just doesn’t have a clue
Morey did
n’t make 1 intelligent trade on Thursday. 1st, he acquired Hield for 3#2s, & matching salaries (since IND is buying out Morris 17.3M & Korkmaz 5.1. Morey could have used Covington 11.8 (and out for a while).D. House 4.3(was traded w/2nd for a 2028 2nd that will never convey, & Korkmaz 5.1 with 3 2nds OR Morris & House w/picks and the 76ers would have saved a couple of players (Morris OR Korkmaz & more importantly Springer), who could have helped the team win yeaterdays game and, (traded for a 2nd which they could’ve saved from moving House to IND rather than attaching a 2nd just
to move House). Morey was just cutting extra salaries to save $ to be under the tax apron.
Indiana didn’t buy out Morris. They flipped him to the Spurs for Doug McDermott.
After the Pacers had those discussions, the Hield trade was re-worked to be a three team trade between the Sixers, Pacers and Spurs.
Which didn’t help the Sixers. Morris got waived. If it wasn’t a 3 team, they could have picked Morris back up on the BO market. As a 3 team they cant.
Typical second-guessing by armchair GMs. How do you know the other team would have accepted trades you proposed? Even though players were waived, you don’t know what the other GM’s response was. We know what was accepted. That’s all we can go by.
We know that IND was looking for picks and expiring contracts for Hield, thats what they accepted. So if Morris, (then moved to SA who bought him out and Korkmaz (IND bought out) got the deal done, I’m pretty sure that Covington,House, & Korkmaz could have been the players w/Covington+ House or Korkmaz for McBuckets, or worst case Morris & House, which would have saved the 76ers a 2nd Rd pick they attached to House to get rid of him, and kept Korkmaz, who may have helped get a W vs ATL .The trade that really pisses me off is 21 year old Jaden Springer, already an excellent defender, gets traded to BOS for a 2nd Rd pick, and Moron says “Jaden wouldn’t help in a playoff run this year, but the 2nd Rd pick could be used to acquire a veteran in the off-season. WHAT? 1) Springer can definitely play significant mins the rest of the year, and maybe in the playoffs. I know 1000% that 2nd Rd pick isn’t going to play a second in the playoffs. And you’re going to tell me Springer couldn’t get a 1st or 2 2nds in return in the off-season?
Morey cleared every penny he could. That’s what the deadline was all about.
Morey’s view that Springer won’t be ready to contribute by the playoffs, ignores the fact he’s already contributing now. While his offensive game needs development, the kid just locked up Luka and Steph in back-to-back games. Boston stole him
Philly should definitely sign Lowry. Even now at the end. He can give good mins. Gotta get him.
They did sign Lowry tonight. I think it was already done when they traded Pat Bev. I’m a Lowry fan, but would have liked to keep Beverly (35) and Lowry (38),could have complimented one another given each other rests,or God forbid an injury