The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers guard TJ McConnell is Joel Embiid’s “Mini Me”

By Bret Stuter

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 23: Joel Embiid
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 23: Joel Embiid /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 10: Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie looks on prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 10, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 10: Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie looks on prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 10, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Undrafted, and somewhat unwanted

The avenue for T.J. McConnell’s arrival to the Philadelphia 76ers seemed to be almost an afterthought.  The team entered the 2015-2016 NBA season with some obvious holes in the roster.

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Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers /

Behind the Buck Pass

  • OKC Thunder waive TyTy Washington Jr to alleviate some roster crunch Thunderous Intentions
  • Should the Suns trade Deandre Ayton to the Indiana Pacers? Valley of the Suns
  • The Milwaukee Bucks' ideal trade target could be in their division Behind the Buck Pass
  • The five biggest things the Pacers learned during Summer League 8 Points, 9 Seconds
  • T.J. McConnell would cap off perfect offseason for the Suns Valley of the Suns

    • The team did not retain point guard Ish Smith, and faced the season with an injured Tony Wroten, a shooting guard in Isaiah Canaan, and little else.   That is why so many hoped and expected the Philadelphia 76ers to lock on point guard D’Angelo Russell.  But the Los Angeles Lakers chose Russell, forcing the Philadelphia 76ers to select center Jahlil Okafor.

    To compensate for the lack of a true point guard, the team looked long and hard at the position in the off-season. The team signed Scottie Wilbekin during Summer League. Simultaneously, the team inked Pierre “Pappy Jack” Jackson to a contract as well.  The team did eventually sign McConnell, and then as the season opened, the team signed Kendall Marshall to a multi-year deal.

    Island of Misfit Toys

    In all honesty, the 2015-2016 roster had little semblance to a constructed roster and looked more like a roster of a playground pickup team.  The team signed plenty of guards in the off-season. That set the roster for point guard with as many as six options.

    But the team waived Wilbekin and Jackson. The team cut Wroten to make room for Ish Smith. Ultimately, the team traded Kendall Marshall. So why did the team keep T.J. McConnell?  He earned his playing time.