As the Sixers weigh whether or not to exercise Furkan Korkmaz‘s 2019/20 rookie scale option in advance of today’s deadline, the second-year shooting guard says that he’s just seeking the opportunity to play regular minutes, as Keith Pompey of Philly.com relays.
[UPDATE: Sixers decline option on Furkan Korkmaz]
“I just left my country to come here and to play here,” said Korkmaz, who played professionally in his home country of Turkey before joining the Sixers in 2017. “I just want to play. Then I feel like I’m ready to play. That’s why I looking for an opportunity to play. This is my second year. I just need to play.”
The 26th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Korkmaz was stashed for a year before signing his rookie contract with the Sixers last year. He has appeared in just 19 NBA contests since arriving in Philadelphia, playing 106 total minutes. The 21-year-old entered 2018/19 hoping to secure a rotation role, but has been surpassed on the depth chart by rookie Landry Shamet and may also be behind Jerryd Bayless when the veteran gets healthy, per Pompey.
A trade is a possibility, according to Pompey, who hears from a source that Korkmaz wouldn’t mind being dealt due to his lack of playing time. The former first-round pick didn’t confirm or deny that, suggesting that he’s simply waiting on the Sixers’ decision on his option and hoping to receive more minutes.
“First of all, I want to see what the team is going to say to me,” Korkmaz said. “I’m waiting for them to tell me, ‘We are going to pick up your option’ [or] ‘We are not going to pick up your option.’ Then I want to think about it. I want to play. I just want to play.”
Why not send him somewhere like Dallas or Brooklyn? Let the guy play and clear some salary. Maybe Philly is just keeping him on for the trade deadline to match some salaries.
Lol you make it sound like a trade happens the same way someone would drop an unwanted baby on a doorstep.
Philly: no option Furky
The Kork: trade me bruh
Philly: *sneaks over to Cubes house, drops a large basket on doorstep*
Cuban: *looks*
The Kork: HI new daddy Cubes!
Cuban: wtf?
I think you’re just trying too hard to be funny. If Philly could trade him to a rebuilding team that would give him more playing time while also moving a little bit of money, it would make a lot of sense.
Hey guy, I’ll give up my humor forever against a year of fantasy ball. 7 team league, you have 4 teams.
This is a really really weird comment for any time in the day, but at 8am?? I’m baffled
It never goes well when a unproven player tells the media he needs playing time. When you’re 21 you should just be patient and wait for your opportunity.
Athletes are regularly interviewed by members of the media. He did not write this article.
I thought we’d see him this yr after his summer league play. Brown makes me scratch my head sometimes
Korkmaz for Korver ?
At the very least both teams can save on their jersey lettering.
YOung KOr MOving ‘ROund
yokomoro
3:20am