Without Markelle Fultz and Furkan Korkmaz, the injury to J.J. Redick shows just how thin the team on offense. As the trade deadline approaches, here are the latest NBA Trade rumors
The time is now for the Philadelphia 76ers. While the team is ramping up to a playoff run, their front office is content to pilot the roster as though the team is aiming at the top draft pick, again. It’s not enough that top-selection Markelle Fultz has been off the roster for virtually the entire season. Nor that rookie wing Furkan Korkmaz played a grand total of six games before a foot injury has him lost for the season.
Not even the fact that guard Jerryd Bayless, who missed nearly all season last year, has missed eight games already this season. But the team has had to endure the loss of shooting guard J.J. Redick twice this season. In fact, of 43 possible games, Redick has played 36 so far. By comparison, Joel Embiid has played in 34.
Time is now
The reason this is an issue now is the result of two factors. On one hand, the Philadelphia 76ers have an empty roster spot. Initially, the hope was that the team could use the slot to audition three-point shooters via 10-day contracts. But it was two weeks before the team pulled the trigger on a contract with guard Larry Drew. While Drew warrants a look with a 40.6 percent three-point shot for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the slow deliberate speed of the signing leaves a lot to be desired. Why the hesitation on a 10-day contract? In the end, the Sixers could be on a second 10-day contract if they had acted more quickly.