Sixers Aren’t Looking To Deal McConnell

The Sixers have stopped listening to trade inquiries on backup point guard T.J. McConnell, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

McConnell has become the primary backup to Ben Simmons in the absence of Markelle Fultz, who hasn’t played the last three games. Fultz will see two specialists in New York this week to examine his ailing right shoulder.

With all the uncertainty surrounding Fultz, the organization knows they’ll need to rely more heavily on McConnell, Wojnarowski continues. A report earlier this month suggested that McConnell was one of the Sixers most likely to be traded but that was before McConnell rejoined the rotation.

McConnell’s $1.6MM contract for this season doesn’t become fully guaranteed until January 10th but that looks like a formality now. His stats have been modest over the last three games — 3.0 PPG and 1.7 APG in 15.7 MPG. He had a 16-point, 7-assist game off the bench against Memphis earlier this month when the Jimmy Butler deal was being finalized.

Despite turning away overtures for McConnell, the Sixers still expect Fultz to return and reclaim a backup role, Wojnarowski adds.

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