The Philadelphia 76ers have had a lot of player movement this past week which has had a direct affect on the team’s rookies.
The normal rhythm of the week was interrupted with the Philadelphia 76ers making the deal to acquire star wing Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the Sixers losing more players than they are gaining as a result of the deal, this has had multiple affects on the club’s rotation. There’s clear evidence that the Butler trade, along with other factors, has had an affect on the team’s rookies.
16th Pick, 2018
There was a significant update surrounding the timeline of the return of Zhaire Smith, but the news of the Butler trade made Smith’s update more of a background story. Due to complications from an allergic reaction, the earliest that the first round pick could possibly return is sometime after the change of the calendar year. This isn’t ideal for a team already lacking depth, nor is it ideal for Smith and his development.
26th pick, 2018
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After hot play to begin November, Landry Shamet cooled off this past week. He only scored in double digits once in four games. Besides the one good game he had against the Miami Heat, Shamet had a very rough week shooting. In the other three games Shamet went a combined, 3-20 from the 3-point line.
After the team gets more settled in with the Butler trade, expect Shamet’s shooting numbers to go back up. The sharpshooting rookie has been a surprise spark off the bench for the Sixers thus far and should continue to be unless Philly adds a veteran 3-and-D player at some point down the road.
Season averages: 76ers
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/16/2018.
36th pick, 2017
With Dario Saric being part of the trade that brought Butler to Philly, Jonah Bolden was relied upon for the first two games of the previous week. Against the Charlotte Hornets, Bolden had five points, four rebounds and one assist. The other game Bolden played against the Memphis Grizzlies he didn’t score, but did have three rebounds and three steals.
Head coach Brett Brown continues to use Bolden in spot minutes whenever the team is lacking any type of depth in the front court. Unless the Sixers sign a stretch four with their 15th roster spot, expect Bolden to get these type of spot minutes on a semi-regular basis.
Season averages: 76ers
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/16/2018.
54th pick, 2018
Shake Milton, along with fellow two-way contract player Demetrius Jackson, were called up to the Sixers to help fortify the team’s depth after the Butler trade. The day that Milton was called up was also the Blue Coats only game of the week, so Milton’s G-League stats hadn’t changed since the last rookie report. Until Milton can produce more consistently for the Blue Coats, the most he will be for the Sixers is an end of the bench player.
Once the Philadelphia 76ers gets more settled after the Butler trade, the team’s rookies should settle back into their respective roles. The news concerning Smith isn’t good, but it appears that the other rookies the Sixers have should be more than capable to step up in his place.