The Sixer Sense
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A Triple Double for Philadelphia 76ers …T.J. McConnell?

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 12: T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers encourages the crowd to get loud in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center on February 12, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Knicks 108-92. 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 12: T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers encourages the crowd to get loud in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center on February 12, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Knicks 108-92. 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)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 12: T.J. McConnell
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 12: T.J. McConnell

McConnell wears marriage well

This is the young man who wed in the off-season, a natural progression from changing his hair style to suit his fiance’s taste. But all the while, he retained his incredibly competitive perspective. In many ways, he is the backcourt version of Joel Embiid. He is always ready to come into the game, and he does not slouch on defense. His latest outing, the game where he recorded a triple-double, fell just 4 steals short of a quad-double. So close to something so few have done.

But his production did not suddenly hit on one night. He is an excellent player to keep on the roster. This season he is shooting 51.8 percent from the floor, 51.1 percent from three-point range, and 83.3 percent from the free throw line. He is pulling down 3.4 rebounds, putting up 7.5 points, dishing out 4.3 assists, and snatching 1.3 steals per game on just 24.6 minutes per game.

Bargain player, but for how long?

McConnell is under contract with the Philadelphia 76ers through the 2018-2019 season. And at under $2 million/year, he is an incredible bargain for the team. While his contract expires alongside that of Richaun Holmes and Justin Anderson, the Philadelphia 76ers will be balancing paying to retain him, while keeping enough space to afford Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot the following year.

It’s pretty clear that McConnell has all the capability of starting as a point guard for an NBA team.  And he’s getting that social media presence among NBA players suggesting that very thing.

But for now, he is a tried and tested, true blue 76ers player. And he will be until the end of the 2019 season.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers stand in way of Boston Celtics dominance

But with his first triple-double, T.J. McConnell will certainly now be considered for a greater role on other NBA teams. And with that, we must accept that the team President Bryan Colangelo may have other ideas in mind than keeping McConnell as a solid backup. But that is a worry for another day. For now? Congratulations T.J.!