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Sixers’ Brett Brown: “We Need Help”

October 26th, 2018 at 12:37pm CST by Luke Adams

The Sixers fell to 2-3 to open the 2018/19 season after losing to the Bucks on Wednesday night. While stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons have looked good, as has veteran sharpshooter J.J. Redick, that hasn’t been enough for the club so far, as head coach Brett Brown said after his team was defeated by Milwaukee.

“We need help,” Brown said, per Keith Pompey of Philly.com. “We need other people stepping up, and playing more as a team and getting Mike [Muscala] and Wilson [Chandler] back in this. … I like what we have. I really like what we have. It’s just early days. You know we are struggling a little bit.”

Despite suggesting that the Sixers “need help,” Brown isn’t advocating for a trade this early in the season. Instead, he’s hoping that incorporating those new additions into the lineup will help unlock contributions from the team’s role players. Muscala returned to the court this week and Chandler is inching closer to making his debut for Philadelphia. Brown is betting that once the Sixers are at full strength, they won’t have to lean so heavily on Embiid, Simmons, and Redick.

“Those three are doing a lot of work,” Brown said, per Pompey. “They really are carrying the fort a lot.”

“We can’t just rely on certain guys,” Robert Covington added. “So other guys have got to definitely make things happen.”

While it’s certainly possible that the Sixers will seek reinforcements later in the season via trades or on the buyout market, returning players like Redick and Dario Saric believe that the team is capable of getting back to where it was at the end of last season, even without key contributors like Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova. Redick suggests that the Sixers just “have some catching up to do,” while Saric says they’re “not on the same page” so far, as Pompey details.

“I think everybody needs to step up and try to play like last year with the confidence,” Saric said. “I think we are thinking too much. We’ve just got to play the game.”

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Philadelphia 76ers

Wolves Showing No Inclination To Accept Rockets’ Butler Offer

October 26th, 2018 at 9:52am CST by Luke Adams

The Timberwolves are showing “no inclination” to move on the Rockets‘ latest trade offer for Jimmy Butler, reports Shams Charania in a video for Stadium.

Charania confirms that Houston’s offer features four first-round picks, along with a pair of injured players — Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss. As I noted earlier today when I broke down the details of a potential Rockets offer, Knight and Chriss will become eligible to be traded in a package next Wednesday.

Even when they eventually get healthy, Knight and Chriss aren’t the sort of players who will come close to approximating Butler’s impact for the Timberwolves, so – as Charania suggests – there’s little incentive for Minnesota to jump on that offer right away. According to Charania, teams around the NBA expect the Wolves to continue to survey the market, perhaps waiting for clubs like the Heat or even the Sixers to get involved again.

The appeal of that Rockets offer to the Wolves may ultimately come down to who is making the final decision and what their top priorities are. We know that president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau and GM Scott Layden have been seeking a package that features some combination of veteran talent, young prospects, and cap relief, so a pick-heavy offer may not do the trick.

The Spurs’ trade of Kawhi Leonard over the summer could be a good reference point for what the Wolves want for Butler. San Antonio sought an impact player who could help the club right away and ultimately accepted Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan-centric offer instead of, say, a Celtics offer loaded with draft picks. Of course, everyone with the Spurs seemed to be on the same page in that scenario — it’s not clear if that’s the case in Minnesota, where owner Glen Taylor may have different priorities than Thibodeau and Layden.

It’s also worth noting that, as the Spurs did with Leonard, the Wolves may prefer to send Butler to the Eastern Conference. Marc Stein of The New York Times has reported multiple times that Minnesota isn’t eager to help the Rockets create another Western Conference super-team.

Atlantic Notes: Hayward, Celtics, Embiid, Redick

October 24th, 2018 at 10:42pm CST by clarkcrum

Celtics forward Gordon Hayward has admitted that he’s still feeling the ill effects of the horrific ankle injury he suffered on opening night that season, writes Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. As a result, he recently sat out the second night of a back-to-back.

“There’s soreness in my ankle every time I play right now. I think there will be soreness for a little while,” said Hayward. “That’s why I’m on a minutes restriction… they don’t want any overloading issues, so there is some load management stuff basically.”

That being said, Hayward still hopes that he won’t be forced to miss any future back-to-backs. “That was just the plan for that game. I want to play in every single game and every single minute but my game is not there yet. I trust our staff.”

There’s more from the Atlantic Division this evening:

In another piece for NBC Sports Boston, Forsberg writes how head coach Brad Stevens gave a blunt assessment of the Celtics after the team’s recent loss to the Magic. “I’ve said it, that we’re not as good as everybody thinks we are. (This is) just another reminder how much we have to work.”
Sixers All-Star big man Joel Embiid has been issued a warning from the league office for flopping against Andre Drummond and the Pistons last night, reports Ian Begley of ESPN. There is no fine involved, but there will be if violates the NBA’s anti-flopping rules again.
Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes that J.J. Redick is an even more integral piece of this year’s Sixers team than last year’s because of the lack of quality shooting around him with the losses of Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli in free agency.

2019/20 Rookie Option Decisions Due In One Week

October 24th, 2018 at 10:00am CST by Luke Adams

Unlike player and team options on veteran contracts, which generally have to be exercised or declined by the end of June, rookie scale contracts include third- and fourth-year options that teams must decide on a year early. The deadline for those decisions is October 31, which means that clubs have one more week to pick up or turn down those rookie scale options for the 2019/20 season.

While several teams have already announced their rookie scale option decisions for 2019/20, there are 14 clubs that will need to decide one way or the other on those options within the next week.

Below, we’ve listed the outstanding rookie scale option decisions for 2019/20, sorting them by their likelihood of being exercised. The first list features options that are certain to be exercised, such as Ben Simmons‘ or Jayson Tatum‘s. The second list features the rest of the options, which may still be picked up, but aren’t necessarily locks.

Let’s dive in…

Locks to be exercised:

Markelle Fultz, 76ers (third year, $9,745,200)
Ben Simmons, 76ers (fourth year, $8,113,930)
Dario Saric, 76ers (fourth year, $3,481,986)
Kris Dunn, Bulls (fourth year, $5,348,007)
Lauri Markkanen, Bulls (third year, $5,300,400)
Denzel Valentine, Bulls (fourth year, $3,377,569)
Ante Zizic, Cavaliers (third year, $2,281,800)
Jayson Tatum, Celtics (third year, $7,830,000)
Jaylen Brown, Celtics (fourth year, $6,534,829)
Malik Monk, Hornets (third year, $4,028,400)
De’Aaron Fox, Kings (third year, $6,392,760)
Buddy Hield, Kings (fourth year, $4,861,208)
Justin Jackson, Kings (third year, $3,280,920)
Harry Giles, Kings (third year, $2,578,800)
Jamal Murray, Nuggets (fourth year, $4,444,746)
Juan Hernangomez, Nuggets (fourth year, $3,321,030)
Luke Kennard, Pistons (third year, $3,827,160)
Pascal Siakam, Raptors (fourth year, $2,351,839)
OG Anunoby, Raptors (third year, $2,281,800)

Not necessarily locks to be exercised:

Furkan Korkmaz, 76ers (third year, $2,033,160)
Thon Maker, Bucks (fourth year, $3,569,643)
D.J. Wilson, Bucks (third year, $2,961,120)
Guerschon Yabusele, Celtics (third year, $3,117,240)
Skal Labissiere, Kings (fourth year, $2,338,847)
Malik Beasley, Nuggets (fourth year, $2,731,714)
Tyler Lydon, Nuggets (third year, $2,190,720)
Henry Ellenson, Pistons (fourth year, $2,856,804)
Malachi Richardson, Raptors (fourth year, $2,581,597)
Marquese Chriss, Rockets (fourth year, $4,078,236)
Dragan Bender, Suns (fourth year, $5,896,519)
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Thunder (fourth year, $2,529,684)
Terrance Ferguson, Thunder (third year, $2,475,840)
Justin Patton, Timberwolves (third year, $3,117,240)
Damian Jones, Warriors (fourth year, $2,305,057)

Because rookie scale salaries are typically so affordable, many of the options that we don’t view as locks to be picked up will still be exercised. For instance, even if Labissiere barely has a role in the Kings’ crowded frontcourt at the moment, Sacramento doesn’t have much guaranteed money on its books for 2019/20 and may view a $2,338,847 cap hit for the big man as a worthwhile investment.

Still, many of the players in that second list don’t currently have sizable rotation roles, so teams will have to decide whether it’s worth it to continue trying to develop those players in 2019/20, or if it makes more sense to simply replace them with minimum-salary veterans. That could be an especially tricky question for teams that project to be over the luxury tax line next season — in those cases, every saved dollar matters.

For a full list of the rookie scale options for 2019/20, including the ones that have already been picked up, check out our tracker.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Redick Believes Magic Were Smart To Deal Him

October 22nd, 2018 at 8:41pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Sixers guard J.J. Redick believes the Magic made a smart move by trading him to the Bucks five years ago, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports. Redick was heading into unrestricted free agency at the time but would have liked to finish out that season with Orlando. He would have considered a long-term deal with the Magic that summer. Orlando acquired forward Tobias Harris and two other players in the deal. “The trade for Tobias was definitely in Orlando’s favor,” Redick told Robbins. “You get a guy who’s going to get you 18 [points] and 8 [rebounds] at 22, or whatever age Tobias was at the time. … Things obviously didn’t turn out great for them subsequently, but I think they made the right call.”

Wilson Chandler On Being Traded, His Role For Sixers

October 22nd, 2018 at 1:03pm CST by ChrisCrouse

When Wilson Chandler signed a four-year, $46.5MM extension with the Nuggets during the summer of 2015, he planned on playing out the contract in Denver. Still, he never viewed it as a lock that he’d be in Colorado for the entire deal.

“To be honest, I never really thought about it much because I knew at any moment I could be traded,” Chandler told Hoops Rumors in an exclusive interview before the Sixers‘ third game of the season on Saturday. “So I kind of just dealt with [the chances of being traded] day-to-day.”

The Nuggets sent the combo forward to the Sixers this past offseason in a financially-driven deal. The event marked the second time Chandler has been traded during his 10-year career (he was sent from the Knicks to the Nuggets in the 2011 Carmelo Anthony blockbuster).

“When you’re younger, even though you know it’s a business, it’s still shocking when you get traded especially when you’re in a good rhythm and just getting a feel for a place, you kind of like it and you’re settled in,” Chandler told Hoops Rumors.

“As you get older, you realize more and more how the business works,” Chandler continued. “You look at both teams and see if you’re going to a good situation. That plays a big part in it. The city, the organization, the team.”

On Saturday, Chandler said he was about a week away from making his regular season debut with the Sixers, as he’s still recovering from a strained hamstring. While the injury has kept him sidelined since the club’s first preseason game, he’s excited to get back out there with his new teammates.

“Just watching from afar and then being in training camp with these guys. It’s an amazing team, a young team,” Chandler said.

The 76ers have also been open with him about the role the 31-year-old will play once he’s healthy enough to return to the court.

“A little three, a little four. Kind of a two-way [forward]. Make open shots, defend, and play off of Ben [Simmons] and Joel [Embiid],” Chandler explained. “You really don’t need to do too much playing with those guys.”

G League Notes: Moreland, Select Contracts, Harrison, Draft

October 19th, 2018 at 5:38pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Several NBA teams secured returning rights for players who were in camp with them but failed to make the 15-man roster. Raptors 905 acquired center Eric Moreland from the Canton Charge, Cleveland’s affiliate, for forward Kyle Wiltjer, according to a G League release. The Raptors waived Moreland a week ago. Raptors 905 pulled off a similar deal with the Texas Legends, the Mavericks’ affiliate, to acquire guard Kyle Collinsworth, who was waived at the same time as Moreland. Texas acquired the returning player rights to forwards C.J. Leslie and Kennedy Meeks, according to a G League release. The Delaware Blue Coats, the 76ers’ affiliate, gained the returning player rights of forward Cory Jefferson in a three-team swap with the Agua Caliente Clippers and the Legends, according to another G League post. The Sixers waived Jefferson on October 13th.

We have more from the G League:

The league is putting together a “working group” that will determine which players are eligible for select contracts, G League president Malcolm Turner said in a Q&A session posting on the league’s website. “That group will be charged with identifying appropriate, eligible, elite talent, not only in terms of on-court performance and potential, but also in terms overall readiness for the G League. In addition to identification, that working group will really help us monitor the rollout and execution of this professional path … that working group will be charged with developing its own framework and lens for eligible players.” Beginning next year, the G League will offer “select contracts” worth $125K to top prospects who are at least 18 years old but aren’t yet eligible for the NBA draft.
Numerous NBA and G league executives, coaches, agents and players feel the select contract concept is intriguing, but there is widespread skepticism how much appeal the program will have to top-level prospects and how it will be implemented. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic takes a deep dive into the topic in a lengthy analysis piece.
The Arizona Suns traded away the returning player rights of Shaquille Harrison to the Memphis Hustle in a deal involving four players and a draft pick, according to another G League release. Harrison was the odd man out in the Suns’ point guard competition, as he was waived early this week. It was still somewhat surprising they traded away his rights. The Grizzlies gave themselves a little extra depth at the G League level as protection against another Mike Conley injury.
NBA veterans such as Willie Reed, Hakim Warrick, DeJuan Blair, and Arnett Moultrie could be among the higher selections in the annual G League draft, which takes place on Saturday, Adam Johnson of 2Ways10Days.com reports. The Salt Lake City Stars own the top pick.

Atlantic Notes: McConnell, Vonleh, Morris, Fultz

October 18th, 2018 at 5:13pm CST by JD Shaw

The Sixers plan to let the season play out before committing to guard T.J. McConnell long-term, according to Keith Pompey of Philly.com. McConnell is eligible for a contract extension, with the 26-year-old set to reach free agency in July on his current deal.

The 76ers have held brief discussions on possibly extending McConnell, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (podcast link), although the sides appear unlikely to reach an official agreement. Philadelphia hopes to keep space for a maximum-salary player in the summer of 2019, when talents such as Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard become free agents.

Several teams have expressed interest in trading for McConnell, including the Suns, Pompey wrote. Philadelphia recently rejected a trade proposal from Phoenix that included a second-round pick.

In 76 games with the Sixers last year, McConnell held per-game averages of 6.3 points, four assists and three rebounds in 22.4 minutes per contest. He scored four points and dished out three assists in Tuesday’s loss against Boston.

There’s more from the Atlantic Division:

New Knicks forward Noah Vonleh explained his decision to sign with the team this week, as relayed by Zach Braziller of The New York Post. “I felt like this was great spot for me, great opportunity,” he said. “Young team, being able to play with a bunch of guys around my age, a bunch of guys who have been in similar situations as me, being former lottery picks, teams giving up on them pretty quick. I felt like it was a good group to come join.”
Marcus Morris is prepared for the uncertainty that comes with earning minutes on the Celtics, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston. Morris could be asked to play major minutes on some nights, and significantly less minutes on other nights. “The only thing I can do is go out there and be effective with the minutes I’m given and that’s my whole motto during the season,” he said.
The Sixers could find more success by playing Markelle Fultz off the bench, Marcus Hayes of Philly.com opines. Fultz started in the first half on Tuesday, then came off the bench in the second half behind J.J. Redick. He finished with five points on 2-7 shooting from the floor.

Sixers Have Discussed Possible McConnell Extension

October 18th, 2018 at 12:41pm CST by Luke Adams

The Sixers have discussed a possible contract extension for T.J. McConnell, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said during the latest edition of The Woj Pod. Despite some “conversations” about a new deal, Wojnarowski doesn’t suggest that those talks have gotten serious, and Zach Lowe adds that he doesn’t expect Philadelphia to extend McConnell early, since the team wants to maximize its cap room for next summer.

[UPDATE: Sixers not planning on in-season extension for McConnell]

Still, it will be interesting to see what happens with McConnell, who would be eligible for up to four years and about $47.5MM on an in-season extension. Wojnarowski indicates that the Sixers‘ backup point guard is “in demand” on the trade market, but has always been a favorite of head coach Brett Brown. As long as Markelle Fultz remains a question mark, McConnell is an important part of the club’s rotation.

Sixers Turned Down Suns’ Trade Offer For McConnell

October 17th, 2018 at 8:47am CST by Luke Adams

The Suns, who were on the lookout for a point guard for much of the offseason, approached the Sixers in recent weeks to inquire on T.J. McConnell, league sources tell Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. According to Pompey, Phoenix was willing to part with a second-round pick for McConnell, but the 76ers passed on that offer.

Philadelphia’s decision to turn down a second-round pick for McConnell comes as no surprise. The 26-year-old has developed into a regular part of the Sixers’ rotation, providing backup minutes at point guard and serving as one of the club’s only reliable ball-handlers. With the 76ers still unsure about what they’ll get from Markelle Fultz this season, it would take a strong offer to pry away McConnell, who is earning just $1.6MM.

It’s also worth noting that the Sixers probably don’t need to add any more second-rounders to their overflowing stash of draft picks. In addition to holding all its own selections, Philadelphia has also acquired two extra second-round picks for 2019, two more for 2020, and three for 2021. The team has even added the Pistons’ 2023 second-rounder for good measure.

The Suns have been linked to several point guard trade targets since sending Brandon Knight to the Rockets over the summer. Cory Joseph, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Patrick Beverley are among the veteran point guards the team has reportedly looked into, but Phoenix is said to be reluctant to part with a first-round pick in any deal.

Terry Rozier‘s name is another one that has been frequently connected to the Suns, and John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 tweeted this week that the club would have “loved” to acquire the Celtics point guard. According to Gambadoro, both Ryan McDonough and new interim GM James Jones attempted to make a deal for Rozier, but he’s “very unlikely” to be traded.

Sixers Rumors

Locks to be exercised:

Not necessarily locks to be exercised: