5 Reasons Philadelphia 76ers Deal Expiring Contracts Before Trade Deadline
By Bret Stuter
Reason III: Focus On Tomorrow’s Players
Players like T.J.McConnell, Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Joel Embiid, Nik Stauskas, and Richaun Holmes sprang from the keen-eye-of-discernment of Sam Hinkie. Each player arrived to contribute to the common good. Each player had a “niche”.
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As the team continues to load up on young players, the team becomes saturated with players who need to learn from veterans. But each year those players themselves become “veterans”. Players who spend several years on an NBA team, and do not get sufficient playing time, never develop.
Rookies Develop Into Skilled Veterans
Painful playing time in the 2015-2016 season for Nik Stauskas, T.J. McConnell, and even Robert Covington, has helped the trio become three of the five players in the 76ers best lineup. But by that same process, players like Dario Saric, Richaun Holmes, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot need time invested now to afford them a similar opportunity.
I heard in throughout the season last year. “D-Leaguers” “Not good enough to land on another team’s roster” “Can’t Play”. Funny that we simply do not set realistic expectations to rookies in the NBA. Players can have all the talent in the world, but without knowing and fully understanding the plays, the coaches, and the teammates, even veteran players can struggle.
The team must ensure that unfamiliarity only lasts one season in an NBA player’s career.