Philadelphia 76ers Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Sixers Lucky? What Is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?

December 5th, 2018 at 10:40pm CST by clarkcrum

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Sixers start to this season should be considered a minor miracle given everything they’ve dealt with in the past nine months. Windhorst details Joel Embiid and his fractured orbital bone at a time when the Sixers had just won seven games in a row. Embiid needed surgery and missed 10 games, and when he came back in the playoffs he wasn’t himself.

Then, the team had to deal with the Bryan Colangelo drama earlier this year after their former GM’s purported Twitter accounts had some not-so-nice things to say about Embiid and Ben Simmons. As Windhorst surmises, would the absence of that debacle have helped the Sixers close on Nemanja Bjelica or another free agent?

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Sixers start to this season should be considered a minor miracle given everything they’ve dealt with in the past nine months. Windhorst details Joel Embiid and his fractured orbital bone at a time when the Sixers had just won seven games in a row. Embiid needed surgery and missed 10 games, and when he came back in the playoffs he wasn’t himself.

Then, the team had to deal with the Bryan Colangelo drama earlier this year after their former GM’s purported Twitter accounts had some not-so-nice things to say about Embiid and Ben Simmons. As Windhorst surmises, would the absence of that debacle have helped the Sixers close on Nemanja Bjelica or another free agent?

On top of all that, the Sixers’ 2018 first-round pick, Zhaire Smith, has still not played this year and probably won’t after undergoing a thoracoscopy for a severe allergic reaction to sesame. The team apparently knew he was allergic to peanuts, but not sesame.

Then, just recently, guard Markelle Fultz was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and is expected to miss three to six weeks as he rehabs his right shoulder away from the team. Time will tell what happens with Fultz, but the Sixers should be commended for how well they’ve done this season given all of the above.

For a more thorough explanation of thoracic outlet syndrome, the medical condition that Fultz is currently working through away from the Sixers, take some time to read this informative piece from Stephania Bell of ESPN.

Markelle Fultz Out Indefinitely With Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

December 4th, 2018 at 7:13pm CST by ChrisCrouse

7:13 pm: With the Sixers’ support, Fultz will work with renowned physical therapist Judy Seto, who formally was employed by the Lakers, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. Seto has previously worked with Kobe Bryant and Sixers GM Elton Brand when they both were in the NBA.

4:17 pm: Markelle Fultz has been diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, according to a team press release. The condition involves compression or irritation in the thoracic outlet (the area between the lower neck and upper chest).

Fultz is expected to undergo physical therapy and he is out indefinitely. Fultz’s agent, Raymond Brothers, emphasizes that the ailment is a physical injury.

“Markelle [Fultz] has been diagnosed with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, [TOS], a physical injury. TOS affects nerves between the neck and shoulder resulting in abnormal functional movement and range of motion, thus severely limiting Markelle’s ability to shoot a basketball,” Brothers said (via Adrian Wojnarowski’s Twitter feed). “TOS is treatable by physical therapy.”

Wojnarowski hears (Twitter links) that there’s optimism with the Sixers organization that Fultz can return to the court in three-to-six weeks. The timetable will ultimately depend on the success of rehab.

Brothers tells Wojnarowski that he is strongly confident that the rehab will address Fultz’ shooting issues. The rehabilitation will begin in Los Angeles, away from the Sixers.

Fultz has seen upwards of 10 specialists since the start of last offseason, a team source tells Sarah Todd of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). His appointment today was reportedly the first time that doctors recommended that Fultz should not play.

Woj Believes Sixers Could Have Got First-Rounder For McConnell

December 4th, 2018 at 3:19pm CST by Luke Adams

Appearing last week on The Russillo Show, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski mentioned that he’s “very confident” the Sixers could have acquired a first-round pick in exchange for T.J. McConnell within the last few weeks, as Dan Feldman of NBC Sports relays. Wojnarowski had previously reported that the 76ers weren’t looking to move McConnell. Woj is obviously more plugged in than any other NBA reporter, so it’s hard to doubt his intel, but I’d have to think that there’s a catch here — perhaps the pick would have been heavily protected, or the Sixers would have had to take on some salary.

Appearing last week on The Russillo Show, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski mentioned that he’s “very confident” the Sixers could have acquired a first-round pick in exchange for T.J. McConnell within the last few weeks, as Dan Feldman of NBC Sports relays. Wojnarowski had previously reported that the 76ers weren’t looking to move McConnell. Woj is obviously more plugged in than any other NBA reporter, so it’s hard to doubt his intel, but I’d have to think that there’s a catch here — perhaps the pick would have been heavily protected, or the Sixers would have had to take on some salary.
In an Insider-only article for ESPN.com, Kevin Pelton explores the Sixers‘ options with Markelle Fultz, writing that the team doesn’t have to make a decision on the former No. 1 overall pick right away, with the trade deadline still two months off.

Jimmy Butler Is Focused On Winning

December 2nd, 2018 at 4:52pm CST by Eric Spyropoulos

Since joining the 76ers, Jimmy Butler is averaging the fewest minutes per game since his sophomore season and the fewest shot attempts since his third year in the league. However, as Keith Pompey points out for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Butler is focused on winning and leading the 76ers, especially in crunch time moments, which he has done several times this season.

Sixers’ Jimmy Butler Not Concerned With Reduced Role

December 1st, 2018 at 11:55am CST by marksuleymanov

Through nine games with his new team, Sixers swingman Jimmy Butler has seen his fewest minutes per game since his sophomore season with the Bulls. He’s also attempting 13 shots per game, his lowest total since the 2013/14 season.

However, since Butler arrive in Philadelphia, the team has gone 7-2 through nine games. As Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes, Butler is not concerned with his reduced role thus far and he’s only focused on winning.

“I don’t care how many points I score, how many shots I shoot,” Butler said. “I’ve always been like that. I always will continue to be that way. Just win at all cost.”

In his nine games, Butler is averaging 17.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 3.0 APG for the Sixers, and has nailed a pair of game-winning shots. However, those totals are all his lowest per-game averages since the aforementioned 2013/14 season. Still, the four-time All-Star maintained confidence in both his abilities and the team’s chances of winning.

“I’m a good basketball player,” Butler said. “When my time comes, my time comes. Like I said, I’m all for winning. I’m not worried about being an All-Star. I’m not worried about that, any of that stuff. I think winning takes care of everything. Winning helps everybody look great.”

Markelle Fultz To Continue Seeing Specialists

November 30th, 2018 at 2:43pm CST by Luke Adams

Sixers guard Markelle Fultz will continue to visit medical specialists through early next week, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. A team source tells Wojnarowski that the 76ers aren’t expected to provide an update on Fultz’s status until after those visits are complete.

Word first broke 10 days ago that Fultz would be visiting a shoulder specialist on November 26 and wouldn’t participate in any practices or appear in any games for the Sixers until after that appointment. On Monday, we learned that the former No. 1 pick would be seeing more specialists throughout the week, and today’s report indicates those appointments will continue into next week.

While various reports have indicated that Fultz may be bothered by shoulder, wrist, and thumb issues, there have also been rumors – sometimes within those same reports – suggesting that the second-year guard’s shooting problems are mental rather than physical. If there’s a medical issue plaguing Fultz, it seems it’s one not easily diagnosed, given all the doctors he’s visiting.

Once Fultz wraps up his visits to specialists, the Sixers should have a better sense of what the next step will be for 2017’s first overall pick. The club has insisted he’ll get a chance to regain a role off the bench if and when he’s healthy, though there has also been plenty of speculation about a possible trade. Potential suitors for Fultz will be keeping a close eye on his status, since they’ll want to know what they’d be getting into if they look to roll the dice on the 20-year-old.

Sixers' Next Moves Even More Important Now With Jimmy Butler

November 29th, 2018 at 10:38pm CST by JD Shaw

The Sixers‘ next moves are even more important now that they’ve acquired a third All-Star in Jimmy Butler, Derek Bodner of The Athletic writes. Philadelphia must convince Butler that this should be his long-term home before he reaches free agency in July, and the team could package Markelle Fultz in a trade for talent that can help the club compete now.

Suns Among Teams With Interest In Fultz

November 29th, 2018 at 10:48am CST by Luke Adams

The Suns are among the teams with some level of interest in Sixers point guard Markelle Fultz, a source tells Keith Pompey of Philly.com. The Cavaliers were also eyeing Fultz, though it’s not clear whether they remain interested now that they’ve agreed to trade Kyle Korver in another deal.

Although Fultz’s trade value has slipped precipitously in the last year and a half, teams would still be interested in acquiring him under the right circumstances, according to Pompey, who suggests that the 20-year-old’s camp would need to be truthful potential suitors. A team with interest in Fultz doesn’t want to be told that his shoulder and wrist are bothering him if his problems are actually mental, a source tells Pompey — in other words, clubs would simply want to know what they’d be getting into.

According to Pompey, the Suns had interest in Fultz leading up to the 2017 draft, with their analytics people believing that his upside was substantial. However, Phoenix also had concerns about the young guard’s support system, Pompey adds.

If the Suns and Sixers were to engage in discussions on Fultz, Philadelphia would likely target veteran forward Trevor Ariza, whose outside shooting and perimeter defense would make him an ideal fit in the 76ers’ lineup.

Ariza is on a one-year deal, so getting something in return for him could appeal to the Suns, who won’t be contenders this season and have been seeking a point guard for months. Ariza’s contract would also be favorable for the Sixers, who could significantly increase their projected cap room for 2019 by moving Fultz for a player on an expiring deal.

The salaries for Ariza ($15MM) and Fultz ($8.4MM) don’t quite match up, but adding – for instance – Justin Patton‘s expiring contract ($2.7MM) would make a deal legal.

Reactions, Notes On Trade Sending Korver To Jazz

November 29th, 2018 at 8:48am CST by Luke Adams

The Cavaliers and the Jazz struck a deal on Wednesday, agreeing to a trade that will send Kyle Korver to Utah in exchange for Alec Burks and a pair of second-round picks. The move isn’t technically official yet, but Korver has already weighed in on it, speaking to Joe Vardon of The Athletic about his impending return to the Jazz.

“I’m thankful that (Cavaliers GM) Koby (Altman) and management were upfront and mindful of my family through this process and are sending us to a great city and organization,” Korver said. “We have lots of friendships there, which will soften the landing.”

As Vardon notes, the Cavaliers aren’t in a particularly good spot by now, and the organization’s image figures to take a hit this season as the losses pile up. However, players inside and outside of the organization will take notice that Cleveland kept Korver in the loop as they explored the trade market, ultimately moving him to a place where he and his family can be comfortable.

Here’s more on the swap between the Cavaliers and Jazz:

Although Cavaliers players recognize the team’s situation this season and will appreciate that the franchise sent Korver to a favorable destination, multiple players are a little upset by the trade, according to Vardon. Those players still want to win, and know that the Cavs’ outside shooting will take a big hit with Korver gone. Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com has a handful of quotes from Cavs players reacting to the deal.
In the view of Jordan Greer of The Sporting News, the Korver swap is a win-win for the Cavaliers, who received an A- grade from Greer, and the Jazz, who got a B+.
Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com hears that the Cavaliers weren’t confident that Sixers guard Markelle Fultz would have been a strong enough return for Korver, since his shooting issues and possible shoulder problems made it difficult his true value.
Tony Jones of The Athletic and Eric Woodyard of The Deseret News explored the impact of the Korver deal from the Jazz‘s side.

Jimmy Butler “Loving” His Time With The Sixers

November 27th, 2018 at 10:05pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Jimmy Butler will be a free agent after the season and while Butler warned that it’s too early to talk about his future, he recently told the media that he can picture himself staying in Philadelphia long-term.

“I could see this being home,” Butler recently said (video link via Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer).

Prior to the deal that sent Butler to the Sixers, it was rumored that the Knicks were one of his preferred destinations. New York will have the cap space to sign the four-time All-Star outright this summer, though it sounds like any interest in the Big Apple has curtailed.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t even talk about the trade no more, because I’m here, and I’m loving it here. All of that is in the past. So I leave it just there,” he said (via Pompey in a full-length piece).

Butler did add that New York is a “good, young team” that plays hard. “They got some guys that can put the ball in the basket,” he continued. The Sixers will play the Knicks four times this season with the first coming on Wednesday night.

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