The Sixers are expected to hire former player Elton Brand as the GM of their G-League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers, Shams Charania of The Vertical tweets. Brand has served as a development consultant for the franchise, Charania adds. Brand would fill the vacancy left by the departure of Brandon Williams, who was hired by the Kings late last month as their assistant GM. Brand played for the Sixers from 2008-12, then rejoined them for the final 17 games of his career during the 2015/16 season.
In other news involving the club:
- Ben Simmons says he’s “ready to go” for training camp after recovering from the foot injury that prevented him from playing last season, he told Roy Ward of The Age. Simmons said he’s eager to prove himself after his rookie season was delayed by the surgery. “A lot of people maybe doubt me now but I’m ready to come back stronger and get to work,” he vowed to Ward. Simmons has been medically cleared for all basketball activities. He ran a basketball camp in Melbourne, Australia last week but flew back to Philadelphia on Monday to prepare for training camp, Ward continues. The Sixers sent two coaches to Melbourne to work with Simmons, including a shooting coach, but the point forward isn’t concerned about his jumper. “My shot has always been fine,” he insisted to Ward.
- The Sixers sent a message to their players and fans that they’re finally serious about winning when they traded up for the top pick in the draft, Shaun Powell of NBA.com notes in his offseason recap. The Sixers could have just taken the best available player at the No. 3 spot but GM Bryan Colangelo made a bold move by trading up for point guard Markelle Fultz, Powell continues. The Sixers now have solid building blocks with Joel Embiid, Simmons, Fultz and Robert Covington but still have to figure out what to do with Jahlil Okafor, Powell adds.
2017 draft is going to be better than the 2003 draft. You don’t have a LBJ in this draft, but Fultz, Ball, Tatum, Fox, Smith JR have stud written all over them. Jackson right behind them, and Isaac is obviously a wild card. Markkanen could be the Darko of the draft though.
Going to be exciting basketball this year.
I agree especially when you look at talent outside the top 10 like Monk, Adebayo, Annunoby
When Boston showed a willingness to trade down, Bryan should’ve ceased the trade negotiations. Ainge was willing to pass on Fultz and there were rumors that he wasn’t completely sold that Fultz was the best player in the draft. It would’ve been wise to keep the 3rd pick and have Fultz fall since Boston would’ve taken Tatum 1st and Ball would still go 2nd. But of course, hindsight is 20/20 and it still was a good move.
Bring back hinkie.
If you actually believe the Celtics would have drafted Tatum 1st overall then you don’t understand the politics of the NBA
Pick would have been used to land a player.
When everyone mentions the sixers building blocks, why does nobody mention Dario saric?
He’s white. Think superstar players 5 years ago, when did you bring up Dirk? Eventually. Just how it works, plus he’s going to be a 6th man type of player for them.
Seems like Covington took his spot on the ‘building blocks’ list! But they need to get him re-signed, and Saric is already locked in for a while.
Cause Covington is turning into a great defensive player
Trust The Process