The Sixers‘ late-season collapse has been ugly, but it’s providing opportunities for several players who might not otherwise get them, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia dropped its 11th straight game Saturday night and has lost 28 of the past 31. Most of that losing has come with a makeshift roster, as Pompey notes that the team has played without an average of eight rotation players for more than a month.
Among those seeing playing time are Lonnie Walker, who started the season in Lithuania, Jalen Hood-Schifino, who had only appeared in two games this season before signing a two-way deal last month, and Colin Castleton, who inked a 10-day contract on Thursday after two 10-day deals with Toronto.
“I’m (focused on) continuing off my previous stop, just continuing to do what I do well,” Castleton said. “Even though this is the last 10 days, I’m just doing what I can to maximize the minutes that I am getting and just the opportunity. … So I’m just taking advantage of it and whatever comes with it.”
Also benefiting from the situation is Jared Butler, who was promoted from a two-way deal to a standard contract after being acquired from Washington at the trade deadline. After bouncing around the league since 2021, Butler is averaging a career-high 23.8 minutes per night in 24 games with the Sixers.
“It’s been four years, and it’s my first time getting straight-up games where I know I’m going to play,” he said. “Like, the fourth year? Somebody telling you just wait four years until you’re going to be able to play, get a real opportunity. It’s a blessing. I’m just glad I’m healthy and I’m able to play. So I think it’s good for my career.”
There’s more from Philadelphia:
- Quentin Grimes has become a star in the Sixers’ depleted lineup since being acquired from the Mavericks at the deadline, but he’s had to adjust to constant losing for the first time in his career, Pompey adds. Grimes leans on some advice he got from former Dallas teammate Klay Thompson, who said NBA players have the best jobs in the world. “That kind of really stuck with me to put in perspective that I do play basketball,” Grimes said. “People would love to do this every day. I get to come in and work every single day. So I love to do what I do, even though we’re losing now.”
- Adem Bona enjoyed the best game of his career on Thursday, scoring 28 points against Milwaukee, Pompey states in a separate story. The rookie center has been one of the team’s few bright spots and is showing he might have a role beyond this season. “Playing consistent minutes every game, it helps boost your confidence,” Bona said. “It also helps knowing you’re going to be out there tonight — every night. So I think it has helped me, it’s gone a long way. Also, it’s kind of a launchpad into next year, getting ready to play with all the great players we have on our team. I think this is just helping me and building my experience.”
- Although the Sixers came into training camp hoping to contend for a title around Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, there were plenty of warning signs that their Big Three couldn’t hold up for an entire season, Pompey explains in another piece.
Grimes is stepping up
Grimes has been good, but on a healthy Sixers team he is the 4th option(Embiid, PG, Maxey). Bona has been a nice 2nd rd find(however to reach his true potential) he needs to learn to defend without fouling. I like Schifino size, but he can’t shoot. Walker is just a hot/cold shooter. Butler when giving mins has played well(but when McCain returns next year) just not going to be enough mins for him. The sixers are a dumpster fire but if he a few of these young guys can continue to improve they can be hopefully part of a rebound next year
Grimes deserves respect. He has leveled up. Its the best physically I have ever seen him. If Maxey could only play the PG. Grimes also is a good defender. Don’t know with this new cap. If they can even sign him. Plus with a top pick Sixers could go after Fears. Or a big SG Johnson. Or even Maluach. Crazy to give up on Grimes. But they might have to. Also have Obrue leaving. I wonder if they can even sign n trade him. He deserves a solid offer from someone.
First I want to say this. Sixers obvious tank for a top pick. Should not be rewarded. There should be consequences. If I was OKC. I would file a lawsuit.
OK ……. that out the way !!!!!!
Philly’s future is all about the draft now. Ping pong balls will decide it all. If they fall out of top 6. Pick goes to OKC. Right now they are 5th. So it looks like a top 6 pick is secured. Then the question is who do they take. Take Maluach to trade the pick for better return. Keep Maluach and start moving away from Embiid (fire Morey). Or strenghten this team by drafting a PG Fears. Or a PF Queen. Top 5-6 pick is going to be a real talent. Fears is still young. Queen is more ready. Johnson a big shooter scorer. Newell could be a better fit with Embiid and George. Then they have Obrue and Grimes walking.
If you believe in Embiid. Then you trade down. Raptors would love to get Maluach. Even Nets should be interested. The big story will be what Sixers do wuth their pick ……
Tre Johnson, SG, Texas
Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma
Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Asa Newell, PF/C, Georgia
Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Might be a tough lawsuit to win as OKC wrote the book themselves on tanking
If they stay 5th they have a 69% keeping pick
Yeah good point. But they were actually a bad team. Traded away players. Sixers sat players.
I think it’s safe to assume we won’t get a top 3 pick (Cooper, Dylan or Ace) after that tho there’s VJ, Kasparas, Malauch, Knueppel, Johnson, Newell, Fears and Queen.
Personally I’d be happy with either Kasparas, Malauch or Newell.
Kasp has really good size and skillset. He does abit of everything. He’s European but he’s also done a year in college ball so is getting familiar with the American game. But does make us a little guard heavy with Maxey McCain Butler and Walker.
Malauch, is a centre so in part that would likely mean planning for life after Embiid or maybe a future trade or something. There’s no way both of them are on the floor at the same time. Aside from that he looks like a solid prospect.
Newell would be the best fit for right now as we need a PF. He’s a little older and more ready than some of the others, he rebounds, gets steals and blocks and would slot right in
Knicks Al they need to move George .Surround Embiid with shooter’s please!! Ty
Only one trade available. Paul George and Butler with future picks I’m not sure what to Washington for Middleton and Smart. Offer a contract to Grimes, first year being really low number the first year of the contract
Would very happily take Middleton and Smart for George.
Middleton slots in perfectly as a 3 and D wing and 3rd or 4th option. Smart would be the perfect backcourt partner to Maxey because of his defence.
Obviously the only thing with these two would be health but same said about PG.
plenty of warning signs Embiid & George couldn’t hold up for an entire season??? I blind squirrel knew signing PG was nuts. I honestly don’t know how ownership and the GM thought signing PG was a good idea.
Even if you wanted to trade or could trade. Its not going to happen till they all play and show. So lets say you go with this group one more year. Do you take Maluach for insurance. Or trade the pick to add two players. I’m Raptors I trade for Maluach. Even Nets should do it imo. Sixers are the most anticipated pick man. There will be plenty of Philly fans there. Not that far away.
Trade PG and our pick this year (5th) for Middleton, Smart and the Grizzlies pick they own (20th).
At 20th pick up Rasheer Fleming and at 35 I’d be boring and take Alex Karaban.
Grimes and Oubre unfortunately leave.
Along with them Drummond, Gordon, Lowry, and Yabusele all leave
We retain Lonnie Walker, Butler and Edwards.
But it’s going to take real smart business to fill the gaps and bring in decent talent.
Smart Maxey Middleton ….. Embiid
McCain Walker ….. Fleming …..
Butler Council Edwards Karaban Bona
With the right FA moves we could turn it around