Around The Arc

NBA GM's like Jahlil Okafor, Dario Saric

2015-10-21T03:45:00.003-04:00

In their annual preseason survey, the NBA's general managers revealed that they viewed a couple of the Sixers' young players pretty highly.

The Sixers prized 2015 lottery selection Jahlil Okafor was voted most likely to win Rookie of the Year by the GM's. He received nearly half (44.8%) of the total votes. Mineesota's Karl Anthony-Towns was the runner up with 34.5% of the votes.

Okafor's peers also voted him most likely to win the award earlier in the offseason.

It is worth nothing that, while they thought he would have the best rookie season, the GM's did not think that Okafor would be the best player in the draft class five years down the road. That distinction went to Anthony-Towns (62.1%), with Okafor coming in second, along with Denver's Emanuel Mudiay (10.3%). Okafor was projected to be the most 'NBA-ready' of the batch heading into the Draft.

A Sixers 2014 lottery selection was also a top vote-getter in the annual survey, and it wasn't Joel Embiid. Dario Saric was voted the best international player not currently in the NBA; a pretty impressive distinction, considering how the quality of international basketball has improved. Saric, who can join the Sixers as early as next summer, garnered 28.6% of the total vote in that category.

Unfortunately for Sixers fans, the blending of Saric's unique skill-set with Okafor's dominant post presence to create offensive excellence won't happen for at least another season. It's something to look forward to, at least.

Check out the full 2015-16 NBA GM survey here.

Jahlil Okafor: Early Rookie of the Year favorite

2015-10-18T01:39:00.003-04:00

Add The Starters (except Skeets) to the list of people who think Jahlil Okafor will win the Rookie of the Year award for the 2015-16 NBA season. His own peers do, and a host of other media members do as well.

I personally think Jahlil will win, strictly based off of usage percentage, and the Sixers' lack of other offensive options. Who else is really going to score the ball besides Jah and Bobby Buckets? He is going to get a ton of touches, and won't have to sacrifice minutes to a veteran presence, as Anthony-Towns may in Minnesota. Okafor will certainly hit his rookie lumps at points throughout the season, but he will be able to produce and put up points right away.

Mudiay is a good choice; as a point guard he will have the ball in his hands a lot, and thus an increased opportunity to produce, a la Michael Carter-Williams. Okafor is just such a polished (offensive) player for his age, he seems tailor made for the ROY.

Robert Covington poised for a breakout season

2015-10-16T02:24:00.001-04:00

At last season's start, Robert Covington was largely unknown across the league's landscape. By mid season, he had turned some heads and was a participant in the festivities at All-Star weekend. This season, the man known as Bobby Buckets has an opportunity to really make a name for himself. With a contract that pays him exactly a million dollars at a time when players with similar skill sets are inking multi-million dollar deals, Covington could prove to be the steal of the season.

Heading into his third season, Covington has the advantage of stability for the first time. Knowing he has a starting spot secured is a far cry from how his season began last year when he was waived by the Rockets in late October and faced the prospect of another D-League stint. The confidence that comes with having a spot in the starting five locked down, along with his growing familiarity with the Sixers system, should work in Ro-Co's favor in his second season with the Sixers.

Jahlil Okafor's post presence will also be a big benefit to Covington. Okafor will draw defenders and in turn create open opportunists for Covington and other Sixers shooters like Nik Stauskas and Isaiah Canaan. Covington attempted over six three's per game last season without a reliable post presence to play off of. That number, along with his two makes from distance per game, should increase with a talented offensive post player like Okafor in tow. Similarly, Okafor will appreciate having a reliable outlet like Covington on the perimeter to kick it out to.

Covington showed growth over the course of last season. While his outside shooting was obviously his standout skill, he worked on improving other areas of his offensive game throughout the season and focused on taking the ball to the basket. He made more free throws in April than in any other individual month of the season, demonstrating an increased willingness to take it to the rim late in the season. Covington's game should benefit from continued offensive development this season.

He will have ample opportunity - he averaged nearly 28 minutes per game last year and will see similar, if not more action this season - and a scheme complimentary to his skill set. While his team is set to struggle, again, Robert Covington is poised for a breakout season.

Sixers 2015-16 schedule breakdown

2015-10-15T12:46:00.001-04:00

In case you were curious.

A slimmed-down Jahlil Okafor ready for his rookie season

2015-10-13T20:28:00.004-04:00

High expectations exist for Jahlil Okafor’s rookie season. He was labeled by many to be the most ‘NBA-ready’ player in the 2015 Draft, and his peers voted him most likely to be the league’s Rookie of the Year this season.

Okafor is a dominant low post player, who has found success at every level. Equipped with an extremely advanced offensive arsenal, a soft touch that projects well professionally, and an innate feel for the game, Okafor is expected to find success (individual), at least offensively, almost immediately. With a dearth of potentially dominant post-oriented players, Okafor could really develop into a nightmare matchup for defense.

While the offense may not be an issue, it is in the other areas of the game where there is some concern about Okafor. Throughout his single season at Duke, Okafor was a mediocre defender, at best. He is not extremely agile, and this was evident time and again. He was regularly beat by quicker, more nimble offensive players, who were simply able to get past him. He was flat-footed and unable to adapt well to drives. He often looked lost on paint penetration, and despite his size, he did not provide Duke with any sort of elite rim protection. In addition, he often struggled to get back in transition; a taboo in the world of NBA basketball. He would at times be the last man down the court.

So, while there is a lot of justified excitement about what Okafor can bring to the Sixers on the offensive end, there is also some equally-justified concern about his ability to develop into a complete package.

While Okafor doesn’t seem overly concerned about the concerns, he is very even-keel, he has already taken steps to help himself succeed, on all areas of the floor, at the next level, including embracing Brett Brown’s defense-first approach.

“We’re a defensive-minded team first,” Okafor explained at practice last week. “That’s something Coach stressed to us from day one. He feels that we have a lot of offensive weapons, so he knows that we’re going to score, so his main focus is for us to play defense. That’s what I’ve been working on.”

Okafor and his teammates focused almost entirely on defense at training camp, and Coach Brett Brown was pleased with the progress he saw in Okafor.

“It’s a process,” he stated, emphasizing patience.

Pairing Okafor with defensive dynamo Nerlens Noel in the Sixers frontcourt should help to alleviate some of the inevitable growing pains.

Developing defensively wasn’t the only focal point for Okafor over the summer however, as improving his physical shape and stamina was also a priority. Okafor shed close to ten pounds in an attempt to be more mobile both defensively and in transition. The difference in his physique is noticeable. He currently clocks in at 268 pounds, down from over 275 on draft day, and he said he feels great physically entering his rookie season:

“I feel fine, I feel really good. I’m healthy and ready to go.”

(In the video below, Okafor can be seen running sprints and keeping pace with teammates).

#sixers sprints pic.twitter.com/NzXOTnqQ3s
— Michael K-B (@therealmikekb) October 5, 2015

Okafor’s conditioning commitment will continue throughout the season, both on the court and in the kitchen. The former Blue Devil already understands the positive impact that eating right can have on an athlete. Thus, even though Philadelphia is known for cheesesteaks and other enticing options, Okafor will be avoiding nightly temptation with his own personal chef.

“I had a chef in last night on a trial run. I have another one coming in on Wednesday. It’s try out season.”

Tim Duncan is more durable than Derrick Rose

2015-10-08T14:58:00.003-04:00

The numbers speak for themselves.

Image via ESPN

Stephon Marbury calls out Michael Jordan for being 'greedy'

2015-10-06T17:54:00.003-04:00

Image via Bleacher Report.

Does he have a point?

Marbury will be re-releasing his line of $15 basketball sneakers, Starbury, in the near future, and he says that his shoes are made in the same factory as Jordan's.

Governor of Ohio wants the Cavaliers to sign Allen Iverson

2015-10-06T15:51:00.001-04:00

Allen Iverson hasn't played NBA basketball in several seasons, and he is officially eligible for Hall-of-Fame induction next summer, but rumors of his return to basketball persist. Consider the governor of Ohio among those that would like to see 'The Answer' back in the NBA and suiting up alongside LeBron James for the Cleveland Cavaliers next season.

When asked by TMZ about the Iverson-to-Cleveland rumors, and if Iverson would be given an opportunity in Cleveland, governor John Kasich replied:

"That's been a rumor. I'd love to have Iverson in Cleveland. I'm for it!"

Unfortunately, Kasich has no control over the Cavaliers' basketball operations, and an Iverson return at this point is unlikely to say the least. Although it sure would be fun to see A.I. balling alongside LeBron on a team talented enough to take home a title.

Check out the original report and video from TMZ here.

Sixers are the worst team in NBA 2K16

2015-09-29T03:24:00.002-04:00

Count the producers of NBA 2K16 among those with low expectations for the Sixers this season. In the game's three-tiered online ranking system the Sixers rank dead last.

The ranking is not so surprising, considering that the Sixers highest-rated players in the game, Noel and Okafor, are both rated only 77. The Sixers and the Nuggets are the only two currents teams in the game whose best player is rated below an 80. Check out the full player ratings for the Sixers below:

Sixers announce training camp roster

2015-09-28T13:22:00.001-04:00

The Sixers will hold training camp from September 29-October 3.

Here is the 20-man roster:

Via the Sixers (click to enlarge)

76ers Report: Training camp edition

2015-09-26T17:10:00.002-04:00

After an end-of-summer sabbatical, Jeff McMenamin and Michael Kaskey-Blomain are back with a new episode of the 76ers Report. In this episode, Jeff and Michael discuss the Sixers' upcoming training camp, as well as their current situation at the point guard position and more.

Listen to the new episode below, via Blogtalkradio:

Check Out Basketball Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with 76ers Report on BlogTalkRadio

Catch up on past episodes of the 76ers Report here.

The Sixers' point guard puzzle

2015-09-24T16:26:00.000-04:00

While several pieces have fallen into place for the Sixers' lineup heading into the 2015-16 NBA season, the point guard position remains open. Some fans of the franchise thought that the team had found its point guard of the future in former Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter-Williams, but since his trade to Milwaukee last February, the team has employed a turnstile approach to the position.

Isaiah Canaan had his crack at the starting spot, as did Ish Smith. Both did decently, but not enough to secure themselves a spot moving forward. The team did not address the position in the draft, or through free agency (outside of the small-scale Marshall deal), and instead will have a handful of potentially promising young players compete for the backup and starting spots at camp. The list looks like this:

Tony Wroten*
Kendall Marshall*
Pierre Jackson*
Scottie Wilbekin
T.J. McConnell
Isaiah Canaan

*coming off of an injury

Once the roster is trimmed to 15, the team is expected to carry three point guards. The question is, which three out of that group will make the cut?

Realistically, none of them are long-term starting options; something the team will eventually have to add - either through free agency (there is a whole lot of talented point guards across the league's landscape currently), or through the 2016 Draft, where the Sixers could potentially have four first round picks. Until then however, a combination of the above listed players will have to hold down the spot, and hopefully use the opportunity to show their value going forward.

My gut guess is that Wroten, Marshall, and Jackson will be the three to make the roster, although all three are coming off of serious injury issues, Still, the team knows what Wroten can do, as he is the their best at taking the ball to the basket. He can create his own offense, which will be important for the team this season. Even if there is no long-term future for Wroten in Philadelphia, there would be some value for him in a trade. I don't see him not being on the roster.

Kendall Marshall is the best passer of the group, and a guy that potentially makes a lot of sense as a backup down the line. He can distribute the ball well, and as the Sixers continue to add top-tier talent, that will become increasingly important. Marshall excels in the open court, and can execute on the break, and we all know the Sixers emphasize getting out and running. Marshall can also knock down open opportunities, which will be very important to space the floor as Okafor and Noel draw attention in the post. While his game is limited, Marshall is potentially the best pure point of the group, and brings an elite skill set to the team.

The third spot is open, although I expect it go to either Pierre Jackson or Isaiah Canaan. Jackson is a guy that the team liked last year prior to his injury, and they obviously still like him, as they brought him in this summer. They may very well want to give Jackson a try in the system to see what he can do, as Canaan was already afforded his 'tryout' with the team last year. Canaan played in 22 games for the Sixers last season, so the organization has a feel for what they can get out of him, good or bad. The main thing working in Canaan's favor is his three-point shooting, as he demonstrated his ability to be lethal from long-range. The team certainly needs guys that can shoot from the perimeter, especially with Okafor, Noel, and (maybe) Embiid on the block, so it will likely come down to how much they value that particular skill in Canaan if he returns to the roster or not.

Wilbekin and McConnell seem to be extreme long shots, but they will certainly have their opportunity. The point guard wars at training camp will be extremely interesting.

Sixers interested in Anthony Bennett

2015-09-22T13:49:00.003-04:00

In a not-so-surprising report from Yahoo!, the Sixers are listed as potential suitors for Anthony Bennett, who recently reached a buyout agreement with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Bennett was (surprisingly) selected first overall in the 2013 Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but played only a single season with the team before being shipped to Minnesota along with 2014 first overall pick Andrew Wiggins in the Kevin Love deal.

As it was in Cleveland, Bennett's play with the Wolves was largely underwhelming, and he found himself bench-bound, buried in the rotation. The two sides decided to part ways, and once he clears waivers, the former top pick will become a restricted free agent.

According to the report, only the Cavaliers (ironically), Sixers, Jazz, and Blazers have the cap space or exception necessary to take on Bennett's nearly $6 million contract, and both Portland and Philadelphia plan to look 'carefully' at the possibility of claiming Bennett.

The Sixers reported interested in Bennett isn't shocking, as there were rumors of Bennett coming to Philadelphia in the Thaddeus Young trade last year. Bennett's acquisition would fit in with Sam Hinkie's buy-low approach on young talent. Signing with the Sixers would make sense from Bennett's perspective as well, as it could provide him with a low-pressure atmosphere where he could work on his game around other young, similarly-developing players.

Bennett is still only 22 years old, and could potentially still be developed into at least a serviceable rotation player.

Best players in NBA 2K16, by position

2015-09-22T12:57:00.000-04:00

Check out the 10 highest-ranked players at each position in NBA 2K16 before the game drops next week:

Images via 2K

Jordan McRae not expected at Sixers training camp

2015-09-16T15:08:00.000-04:00

Although things could change in the next couple of weeks, a source with knowledge of the situation informed me that the Sixers do not expect Jordan McRae to be with the team for upcoming training camp.

McRae, who was the 58th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, was offered the required tender in the form of a non-guaranteed, one-year minimum deal by the Sixers last week, which allows the team to keep his rights for the season if he again signs overseas. He has yet to accept the offer.

Last year, McRae rejected a similar offer from the Sixers, opting instead to sign in Australia, and as McRae has yet to accept this year's offer, he might very well be weighing other options again.

With a crowded competition for the Sixers' perimeter positions already, and the potential to make more (guaranteed) money elsewhere, it seems likely that McRae will again sign overseas. This is likely what the Sixers want, and why they offered the contract that they did. This way, McRae can continue to develop overseas on someone else's dime without taking up a roster spot on the Sixers.

McRae was given an opportunity to show his stuff and potentially secure a spot with the Sixers at Summer League, but his play was largely uninspiring. He shot only 29% from the field with a questionable shot selection during his four Summer League games, and definitely didn't display the development many had hoped to see in his game.

While this isn't necessarily the end for McRae's stint with the Sixers, it doesn't sound like we should expect to see him with the team at training camp or the season's start.

Nerlens Noel's All-Star aspirations

2015-09-15T12:47:00.000-04:00

After a very solid rookie campaign in which he was the only player in the league to finish with over 100 blocks and over 100 steals, Nerlens Noel has some high aspirations for his second season. Among them, is to become an All-Star. The Sixers have been without an All-Star since Jrue Holiday made the team back in 2013, and Noel wants to end that streak.

“Year two, I want to be an All-Star, clear as that,” he recently told SLAM magazine; a sentiment he has often echoed in the past. “I know a lot of players say that,” Noel told me back in April, “but for me I feel as though that it the next step.”

The formidable forward spent the summer fine-tuning his game, especially on the offensive end, where there is obvious room for growth. Noel has been working to improve his jump-shot since before his selection by the Sixers in 2013, and that continued to be a central aspect of work throughout his summer sessions.

"I think it's really going to help me as a basketball player overall, especially at [power forward]," Noel told The Inquirer’s Keith Pompey of his daily workouts. “It will help space the floor with my ability to start hitting the jumper consistently and complement our whole offense.”

Adding a consistent 15-foot jumper would exponentially expand Noel’s ability to impact the offense end, as he is already a proficient finisher around the rim. Adding such a shot would force defenders to follow him out of the paint, in turn opening up the area for Noel and his teammates. This could become especially important with Jahlil Okafor on the floor, as he often does his damage from inside the painted area. A solid-shooting Noel could provide the perfect complement to the potential Rookie of the Year candidate.

Noel already displayed flashes of defensive dominance throughout his rookie campaign, and he projects to be one of the league’s best on that end of the ball for years to come. If his offense can develop to the point of consistent, reliable production, he could grow into one of the best young forwards in the game. Though he is extremely self-motivated, as evidenced by his All-Star aspirations, his overall goals remain team-oriented.

“We worked hard this summer. I think I’m in a good position to help [the Sixers] move in the right direction,” Noel told Pompey.

With his dominant defensive ability and improving offensive skill-set, Noel figures to play a key role as the Sixers continue their climb to contention. It would not be shocking to see the former Kentucky Wildcat average a double-double for the Sixers this season, and maybe get that first All-Star bid.

Allen Iverson eligible for Hall of Fame induction in 2016

2015-09-12T16:52:00.000-04:00

Dikembe Mutombo was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame over the weekend, and next summer, his teammate from the 2001 Sixers Eastern Conference Champion team will have an opportunity to join him.

Image via nba.com

It was recently revealed that Sixers great and living legend Allen Iverson will be eligible for Hall of Fame induction starting in the summer of 2016.

Iverson, the 2001 NBA MVP, last suited up in the NBA during the 2009-10 season for the Sixers, following stops in Denver, Detroit, and Memphis. Iverson also played for a short stint in Turkey following his NBA days, but that will be disregarded when it comes to his Hall of Fame eligibility. If his time in Turkey was counted, he would not be eligible until the following summer.

'The Answer' formally announced his retirement in 2013, and his number was subsequently retired by the Sixers. The eleven-time All-Star and four-time scoring champion should be a first-ballot selection into the Hall of Fame. The eventual induction will serve as a crowning achievement to an illustrious career.

Sixers well-represented at Made in America

2015-09-08T02:06:00.002-04:00

Philadelphia hosted the annual Made In America festival over the weekend, and there was no shortage of Sixers support. From the performers, to the crowd, to some actual players in attendance, the franchise was well-represented.

Most notably, Beyonce sported a Sixers top during her opening-day capping performance on Saturday night:

Via Getty

Beyonce wasn't the only performer to show support for the Sixers over the weekend however. Philadelphia's own Freeway was seen sporting a crisp Moses Malone jersey:

Via Instageam

Dozens of Allen Iverson jerseys could be seen sprinkled throughout the crowd as the guard remains ever-popular in the City of Brotherly Love. The most surprising sign of Sixers support was someone in the crowd in a JaVale McGee Sixers jersey - yes, apparently someone actually owns one. McGee played a total of 61 minutes with the Sixers.

Photo taken by Michael Kaskey-Blomain

The organization's presence at the popular festival wasn't limited to garments however, as a couple of the team's prized players were in attendance. Nerlens Noel spent his Labor Day weekend amongst the thousands catching a variety of musical acts, as did Joel Embiid.

Embiid, who is only a couple weeks removed from bone graft surgery, braved the crowds with a pair of crutches and a Cameroon-colored boot extending well up his leg.

Photo taken by Michael Kaskey-Blomain

It was good to see the center out and about, as he appeared to be in solid shape and spirit. It is also good to see Sixers pride remain strong despite the team's recent on-court struggles.

2016 will be a big summer for the Sixers

2015-09-04T15:58:00.003-04:00

The summer of 2015 won't go down as the most memorable for Sixers fans. Outside of the solid, and exciting selection of Jahlil Okafor in June's draft, the summer was without a whole lot of positive news. The team did little in free agency, it was announced that prized pick Joel Embiid would miss his second consecutive season, shrouding the rest of his career in incertainty; and maybe worst of all for fans, the team lost Malik Rose to Atlanta's front office.

While the team is expected to improve this season, thanks largely to the addition of Okafor and the development of Nerlens Noel, the fanbase's hope still lies in the future. While the summer of 2015 was slightly underwhelming, the summer of 2016 could be a very big summer for the Sixers.

The team is slated to have four potential first round picks, including a potentially high lottery pick from the Lakers, and picks from the Thunder and Heat, in addition to their own. The Sixers also have the right to swap first round picks with the Kings next summer, and Sacramento appears likely to be a high lottery lock. These picks will provide plenty of opportunity for the franchise to add to its arsenal of high-caliber talent.

The likely addition of Dario Saric in 2016 adds to the summer's potential talent influx. Saric, who was selected in 2014, has been seasoning overseas, and projects to be able to contribute immediately upon arrival. Saric is a multi-faceted forward who will be able to play several positions for the Sixers, and add to the overall depth of the team as they climb back into contention. Saric's arrival is another thing for Sixers fans to look forward to next summer.

Saric's draft-mate Joel Embiid may finally be able to hit the hardwood next summer as well. After missing the first two seasons of his career, Embiid's NBA future is cloudy, but if he is able to fully recover from his second surgery, we can look forward to him preparing to play next summer. Although he won't play in summer league, and the team doesn't even expect him to play before October, we will at least have a much better idea of if Embiid can actually be a viable piece of the puzzle moving forward at that point. If, by next summer, he is still unable to play, the franchise will unfortunately have to seriously consider his future. Hopefully though, next summer will mark the true start to Embiid's career, and at that point he will be able to begin to prove that he was worth the wait.

The Sixers should have copious cap space in the summer of 2016 as well; potentially enough to sign two max-contract players. For the first time since Hinkie took over, the team may be actively looking to sign free agents at that point to pair with the young talent they have already acquired and developed. The 2016 free agency class is loaded with talent, including guys like Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, and Harrison Barnes. Maybe the Sixers will finally utilize some of that cap space to sign some top tier talent.

While improvement is expected in the 2015-16 campaign, the summer of 2016 could mark the true start of team's ascension to contention.

Top 10 highest paid NBA endorsers of 2015

2015-09-03T04:29:00.002-04:00

These dudes make some money.

(click to enlarge)

Image via Forbes

Kendall Marshall makes sense for the Sixers

2015-09-01T19:35:00.003-04:00

While some pieces have begun to fall into place for the franchise's future, at this stage in the rebuilding process the Sixers are far from a finished product. While some improvement is expected in the third season with Sam Hinkie at the helm, the team will continue to try out talent throughout the season.

While the team has worked to fortify the frontcourt through the draft, one glaring area that definitely needs addressing is the point guard position. Thus, the team's rumored interested in free agent point guard Kendall Marshall is not so surprising, especially considering the 24-year old's skill set.

In a point guard the Sixers need a guy that can spread the ball around, make plays, and keep a lot of mouths fed. Prized lottery pick Jahlil Okafor will want touches. Nerlens Noel has been developing his offensive game this summer and will look to have a bigger role on that end of the floor this season. Robert Covington proved to be a legitimate offensive option last season.

Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Marshall has proven to be a dynamic play-maker. He set the ACC single-season assist record in his sophomore season at North Carolina. Just two seasons ago, he averaged 8.8 assists per game over the course of a 54-game stint with the Lakers. He had similar success passing the ball with the Sixers' D-League affiliate, the 87ers. He is able to make plays in the open court, and as the Sixers continue to develop legitimate, go-to talent on the offensive end, Marshall could be a nice compliment.

The team also needs a point guard who can knock down shots, and while Marshall isn't a dynamic shooter, he is proficient with a career 37% mark from long range. With big men like Okafor, Embiid (eventually, hopefully), and Noel commanding attention in the post, there figures to be a lot of open opportunities for the team's perimeter players. If signed, Marshall would have to prove that he can make such shots consistently.

At 6'4'', Marshall also has solid size for the point guard position, a bonus on both ends of the floor.

While he often struggles on the defensive end of the ball, having bigs like Noel, Okafor, and Embiid protecting the paint should help to make up for some of his defensive decencies. If he gets beat off the dribble by a quicker guard, those guys will be there to deter the driver.

Marshall is by no means a long-term starting solution at the point guard position, but he has an NBA skill set, and if he is able to improve in certain areas he could prove to be a valuable rotation player. Considering the Sixers current point guard prospects heading into training camp, it might make sense for them to give Marshall a shot.

Sixers interested in Kendall Marshall

2015-08-31T12:49:00.000-04:00

The Sixers have expressed interest in free agent point guard Kendall Marshall, according to a source.

Marshall, 24, was a lottery pick in 2012, but has been unable to find a home in the league. His brief career has included stints with the Suns, Lakers, Bucks, and even the 76ers D-League affiliate, the 87ers.

The former Tar Heel suffered a torn right ACL in January while balling with the Bucks, but his recovery has been going well, and he plans to be ready for the start of training camp.

The move would make some sense for the Sixers, who need a point guard capable of spreading the ball around and knocking down open opportunities; both strong suits for Marshall, who set the all-time ACC record for assists in his sophomore season, and averaged 8.8 assists per game in 54 contests with the Lakers two years ago. At 6'4'', Marshall also has solid size for the point position.

Marshall's relatively slow lateral movement and defensive deficiencies could potentially be masked by the paint presence of Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, and (eventually) Joel Embiid, making the potential fit with the Sixers for Marshall even snugger.

If he is indeed brought into camp with the Sixers, Marshall will have to compete for a spot against a decently deep, albiet not superbly talented crop of point guards including Tony Wroten, Isaiah Canaan, Scottie Wilbekin, and Pierre Jackson.

Joel Embiid has little trade value

2015-08-28T02:34:00.001-04:00

Not that the Sixers are actively looking, but if they did want to try to trade potential-full, yet consistently-injured center Joel Embiid, they wouldn't find much of a market.

Embiid,21, is facing a second consecutive season on the sideline and an increasingly uncertain future, and despite his lofty draft position just a year ago, the Sixers would be hard-pressed to find anything close to equal value in a trade involving Embiid.

"Teams are skeptical," an Eastern Conference front office executive told me over the phone on Wednesday.

"There is the question of when, and even if he'll play, and if he does, how good will he be after the extended time off?"

All valid points. The front officer implied that the Sixers are basically stuck with Embiid, in the sense that, they won't be able to get much value for him until they prove he can play, and at that point, they might want to hold on to him anyway. A mid-to-late first round pick might be the absolute best return the Sixers would get for Embiid at this point in time. With an unknown return date, and a whole ship-load of questions surrounding his health, the lack of league-wide value for Embiid is not so surprising.

It is likely in the Sixers' best interest to hold on to Embiid for the time being anyway, as he is still extremely young, and if eventually healthy, he could still have a productive professional career. He is under team control at a reasonable price for the next few seasons, so the team can afford to wait out his status a little longer, rather than bailing on him for pennies on the dollar. Coming out of college he projected to be one of the league's premier post players and the Sixers are still hoping he can become that for them. Embiid will remain a Sixer for the foreseeable future barring an unexpected, extremely enticing offer, and as of now, those offers just aren't out there.

Dario Saric plans to join Sixers in 2016

2015-08-26T12:50:00.002-04:00

Finally, some good news for Sixers fans.

Dario Saric, the team's second lottery pick in the highly-hyped 2014 Draft who is currently playing in Turkey, revealed to Sportando that he plans, or at least hopes, to join the Sixers next summer.

"Next summer, I will probably, finally, go where I want, to the biggest basketball league in the world," Saric stated. It is imperative to do more next year with Efes (his Turkish team), and then it's time for America."

There were some rumors floating around about Saric potentially joining the Sixers this summer, but that ultimately did not come to fruition.

Image via Philadunkia

"This year we tried something," he explained, "but as Efes asked me to stay and said that they remain as an important player, I was forced to stay on it. Finally, I see that it makes sense to stay and improve here."

Thus, it seems as though the Sixers and Efes did indeed engage in talks about Saric potentially joining the Sixers this summer, but Efes wanted to retain his rights, so no deal got done. Next summer, Saric will have the option of an NBA opt-out in his contract and in all likelihood will join the Sixers then, after a couple years of overseas improvement.

The Sixers could certainly use the help. Saric had a solid season overseas in 2014-15, as he was named the 2014-15 Euroleague season's MVP of the month for November, becoming the youngest player to ever win such an award. He was also named the 2014 FIBA Europe Young Men's Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. In his 27 Euroleague Games this season, Saric averaged 9.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He is a multi-faceted forward, who should add some serious depth and versatility to the Sixers whenever he finally comes to the City of Brotherly Love.

If Saric does indeed come stateside in the summer of 2016, he could be joining Joel Embiid and four potential first round draft picks in what could be a big summer for the Sixers.

When will we see Embiid play?

2015-08-24T23:11:00.000-04:00

You can't help but wonder, if, had the Sixers known of the uncertainty and multiple-season-spanning length of Joel Embiid's road to recovery, they still would have selected the center with the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

It has been over a year since his selection, and the team still does not know when exactly, if ever, Embiid will suit up for the Sixers.

On a conference call last week, Sam Hinkie confirmed to media members that Embiid would indeed be sidelined for the entirety of the 2015-16 season, ending speculation that the former Jayhawk could maybe make a late-season debut.

"I don't see scenarios where we throw him in a game [towards] the end of the season. It just doesn't seem very likely," Hinkie explained. "We think with a conservative approach, it will mean the season."

A couple days after the conference call, a report surfaced stating that the Sixers are hoping that Embiid will be ready for action by next October. A timeline with an October 2016 target start date automatically rules Embiid out of next summer's summer leagues, which means that the earliest we would see him would be at next season's start. And that's if there isn't another setback. While everyone hopes for the best, it would be irresponsible not to consider the possibility of another issue. A minor setback of some sort could push his debut date back to 2017. Another major setback, like the one he suffered in June when he seemed to be just weeks away from hitting the hardwood, could push it back indefinitely, and jeopardize his career.

The Sixers continue to preach patience, as absolutely no part of the process will be rushed. The very vague timeline we have to work with pegs Embiid to return next October at the earliest, and ?????? at the latest. He remains under team control for the next several seasons, with team options beginning in 2016-17. Ideally, Embiid will have ample time to fully recover from this second surgery and will be ready to suit up for the Sixers at the start of that 2016 season. If not, and his debut is further delayed, the team will unfortunately have to really consider his future with the franchise. For now, we have over a year, at least, until we see him out on the court.