Despite the Sixers‘ lottery luck that landed them prized rookie VJ Edgecombe, the team’s outlook hasn’t changed, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Everything still revolves around the health of Tyrese Maxey and especially Paul George and Joel Embiid.
That plan has already hit a snag with the announcement that George underwent knee surgery following an injury sustained during workouts, an injury that Pompey says has the potential to keep him sidelined through the start of the season, depending on how the rehab process goes.
Pompey adds that the offseason drama, which the Sixers are no stranger to in recent years, also includes a recent ESPN article about Embiid that cast an unnamed member of the roster into suspicion when Embiid claimed to know which teammate had leaked information about a players-only meeting last season.
Team president Daryl Morey is still expressing optimism about the coming season, including George’s ability to not only recover from the injury but also bounce back after a disappointing first season in Philadelphia.
“I know he really wants to show the Philadelphia fans what he can do,” Morey said. “He didn’t feel like he was able to do that last year. So I know he’s very optimistic and excited to get out there and show what he can do.”
We have more from around the Atlantic division:
- The Knicks checked in on Marcus Smart‘s availability and desire to join the team after it became clear that he would be bought out by the Wizards, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post (via Twitter). Bondy notes that the conversations didn’t move forward, since Smart wanted a clearer pathway to major minutes than the Knicks could offer. Smart ultimately signed with the Lakers on a two-year, $11MM deal with a player option on the second year.
- Cam Thomas, who is currently a restricted free agent and attempting to secure a new deal with the Nets or another team, took umbrage at recent comments from The Ringer’s Zach Lowe, writes Net Income for NetsDaily.com. After an aggregator Twitter account relayed Lowe saying that there’s a consensus about Thomas being an “empty calories ball hog,” the guard responded. “F–k you and the consensus,” Thomas wrote to Lowe. “This is most likely the same consensus teams who can’t guard me and send double teams from jump ball.” Net Income notes that this comes after multiple less-than-positive summaries of Thomas’ value had emerged online in recent days, and that Thomas is likely to be particularly sensitive, as it has been speculated that there is little movement toward him receiving the kind of offer he’s looking for.
- Charles Bassey had a strong Summer League for the Celtics, who are very thin at center, but according to Brian Robb of MassLive, that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a spot for him on Boston’s roster. In a mailbag article, Robb writes that Bassey’s skill set overlaps with Neemias Queta‘s, and that Bassey’s play as a fifth-year player in Summer League might not be as convincing to the team as to fans. However, it has been widely reported that the Celtics are still pursuing a variety of trades before the season begins, so a deal that sends multiple players out could make room for Bassey to join the team on a guaranteed deal. Barring such a move, it’s more likely that Bassey lands a non-guaranteed training camp invitation, Robb writes.
I don’t blame Cam Thomas for being offended, but what was said is true. No team that’s serious about winning is going to sign that guy and expect that he’s going to be a major contributor.
Being offended by the truth just shows he’s not self aware
Why not? All he’s done is score and score and score some more.
Yes. That’s covered
ECBH
that acronym means nothing to me.
It’s literally in the article
If anyone could score that proficiently in the nba, then you probably wouldn’t see big volume scorers getting paid the way they do. He’s getting unfairly criticized because the Nets have been lousy the past few szns, but that’s not because of him.
Exactly. I remember when they were saying the same thing about Booker in Phoenix.
If the team is set up to lose, there is no way he can be anything but an empty calorie scorer. One player cannot win alone.
ShaqFoo:
Yeah, all he does is score. And in a very inefficient way.
Simons, Queta for Vuch and a first. Sign Bassey.
Why are the Bulls moving Vuc? And Chicago’s backcourt looks full already.
That is true about Thomas. He’s in a culture where no one really cares about winning. So he is going to get his. That’s what all young players have learned. Get your stats right for that next contract. Especially on a perennial lottery team.
Thomas doesn’t play D either. He will never be better than a third guard. The NBA job is about winning. Even a rotation player impacts winning. Thomas hasn’t learned the game yet. If he is not hitting his shots. Then he is useless. I hope he gets one day. Nets should have moved him.
Nobody cares about winning. It’s about getting paid now
All of the recent trends in the league right now are working against guys with Thomas’ profile. In today’s game: It’s never been easier to score points, particularly for perimeter players. It’s never been more reckless to overpay non-star players. It’s never been more important that your core include mostly 2 way players. It’s never been easier to re-sign your own non-star free agents.
I hate Thomas’ one dimensional game, particularly on a rebuilding team. But he is fun to watch. He’s really a special offensive talent, and (despite some of the percentages) he is truly a GREAT shooter/scorer. I hope he finds a place where he can convert that into being a valuable NBA player on a winning team; not a star, or even a starter, on a winning team, but impactful none the less. His history suggests that attitude was (or thought to be) a problem since HS. IDK, but it seems to show, and his game can’t carry that. Young, but 23 is not 19, and he’s now looking to be paid beyond NBA baby sums. Time. Don’t be Bones Hyland.
Morey bet the farm on the antiquated ‘get established stars on max contracts’ formula only the two biggest stars are old and damaged. He compounded the issue signing a bunch of old infirmed veterans ( Gordon, Drummond, Lowry) to fill in much of the roster . He is obviously praying for miracles with Embid and George, but he and we as fans are stuck.