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Category: 76ers

Latest Philadelphia 76ers Rumors and News.

  • Lakers, 76ers considered likely trade suitors for Bulls’ Zach LaVine

    Lakers, 76ers considered likely trade suitors for Bulls’ Zach LaVine

    Yes, the Los Angeles Lakers have an interest in available Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. And yes, it appears the Philadelphia 76ers do, too.Zach LaVine

    But both are approaching any ideas of a trade for LaVine with patience and “due diligence,” per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

    LaVine reportedly has been available since about the second or third week of the season, as the Bulls have looked perhaps better without him (he’s currently sidelined with a foot injury) than they have with him. Some are viewing that as a coincidence, but there may be reasons behind that, too.

    Namely, that both the Bulls and LaVine are ready to move on.

    The Lakers, of course, are a natural suitor as they look for a third reliable scorer behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. LaVine shares agent Rich Paul with those two LA stars as well. 

    There are major doubts that the Lakers can truly contend for a championship and get past the likes of the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns or several others as currently constructed. A player such as LaVine could make that quest a little more realistic.

    Meanwhile, the 76ers look the same as always even after the trade of high-scoring guard James Harden to the Clippers. That is to say, Philadelphia is still really good. But good enough to win a championship behind reigning MVP Joel Embiid?

    That too is being questioned by many, even with the rise of guard Tyrese Maxey to All-Star-level status. But the question for a team such as the Sixers would be whether LaVine would be a fit — and as always, what they would have to give up to Chicago.

    One thing we do know is that LaVine and small forward DeMar DeRozan will hear their names mentioned repeatedly before the Feb. 8 trade deadline. And unlike a lot of rumors, the ones involving the Bulls have plenty of truth behind them.

  • Sixers refute James Harden’s claim that he was promised max deal

    Sixers refute James Harden’s claim that he was promised max deal

    A source within the Philadelphia 76ers refuted James Harden‘s claim that the team had promised him a maximum-level contract more than a year ago, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.James Harden

    Harden told Sam Amick of The Athletic that he was promised a max deal by head of basketball operations Daryl Morey after agreeing to a two-year, $69 million in the summer of 2022. However, the source told Stein that no such promise was made.

    “The deal included a player option for Year 2, which Harden angrily picked up in late June once it became apparent that the Sixers would not be maxing him out,” Stein wrote.

    That trade eventually came, earlier this season, when Harden and P.J. Tucker were sent to the Los Angeles Clippers.

    “Yeah, me and Daryl had a really good relationship,” Harden said, via Amick. “So (in the past), a week or two after we lose in the playoffs, it would be all about trying to figure out how to improve the team,” Harden said. “(They’d talk about) ‘How do we get better?’ And that’s been going on for 10-plus years, you know what I mean? And then this year, there was no communication. And at that point, it’s like, ‘OK, I see what’s going on.’ I’m very intelligent.

    “So then I just figure out ‘What’s my next move, and what do I want to do?’ So I understand that, at the end of the day, this is a business. And just like he has to do what’s best for his organization, I’ve got to do what’s best for me and my family. It’s as simple as that.”

  • Sixers’ Kelly Oubre set to return vs. Wizards on Wednesday

    Sixers’ Kelly Oubre set to return vs. Wizards on Wednesday

    It’s been a while since Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre took the court for a game, but it appears his return is very near.Kelly Oubre Jr

    Per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Oubre will return from a broken rib and other injuries resulting from a reported hit-and-run accident vs. the Wizards on Wednesday. Oubre was a full participant at practice on Monday, Pompey noted.

    Oubre, 27, had been playing well in his first eight games with the Sixers, after signing a deal late in free agency. He is averaging 16.3 points and 5.1 rebounds, shooting 50 percent from the field and 38 percent on 3-pointers.

    He earned the starting role after the Sixers traded small forward P.J. Tucker to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the James Harden deal.

    Oubre has missed 11 games after being the victim of a hit-and-run accident while walking near his home. He suffered a broken rib as a result.

    Philadelphia (12-7) has won just four of its last 10 games and lost two straight — so Oubre should be able to offer a boost to a team that could use one.

  • Injury Notes: Kelly Oubre, Trey Murphy, Larry Nance Jr, Bojan Bogdanovic, Warriors

    Injury Notes: Kelly Oubre, Trey Murphy, Larry Nance Jr, Bojan Bogdanovic, Warriors

    76ers

    • Forward Kelly Oubre is hoping to return from a rib injury next week, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. Oubre has been working out and making progress after suffering the injury in a reported hit-and-run near his home.

    Pelicans

    • Forward Larry Nance Jr. re-aggravated his right rib injury and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, the team said. Nance has appeared in 14 games this season and is averaging 3.5 points and 4.1 rebounds.
    • Guard/forward Trey Murphy III is planning to make his season debut on Friday, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Murphy has been sidelined with a meniscus injury all year. He’ll be a nice addition to a Pelicans team that is finally getting mostly healthy following the return of guard CJ McCollum.

    Pistons

    • Guard/forward Bojan Bogdanovic is targeting Saturday as his season debut, per Wojnarowski. Bogdanovic has missed the early season with a calf strain and the Pistons have lost a franchise-record 15 straight. They host the Cavaliers on Saturday.

    Warriors

    • Point guard Chris Paul underwent an MRI on Thursday after suffering a lower left leg contusion on Thursday. It showed no structural damage and he will be reevaluated on Monday, the team said.
    • Meanwhile, an MRI confirmed a right calf strain for guard Gary Payton II. Like Paul, he suffered the injury in Tuesday’s loss to the Kings. Payton will be reevaluated in a week.
  • Sixers’ Kelly Oubre returns to practice

    Sixers’ Kelly Oubre returns to practice

    Several weeks after being the victim of a hit-and-run while walking, forward Kelly Oubre has returned to practice with the 76ers.Kelly Oubre

    Oubre suffered a broken rib and several minor injuries as a result of the accident.

    He remains “a little ways away yet,” when it comes to actually playing in a game, coach Nick Nurse told reporters, via Austin Krell of 97.3 The Fan.

    Oubre, 27, was off to a hot start after signing a one-year deal with the 76ers in September –averaging 16.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in his first eight games. He’s shooting 50 percent from the field and 38 percent on 3-pointers. He earned the starting role after P.J. Tucker was sent to the Clippers as part of the James Harden trade.

  • East Notes: Sixers, Kelly Oubre, Pistons, Heat, Kevin Love

    East Notes: Sixers, Kelly Oubre, Pistons, Heat, Kevin Love

    76ers

    • Forward Kelly Oubre will be reevaluated in one week, as he continues to recover from a broken rib suffered in a hit-and-run accident.
    • Per Kyle Neubeck of PHLY_Sports, Oubre took part in individual on-court workouts on Monday.

    Pistons

    Guard/forward Bojan Bogdanovic has been cleared for basketball activities and is likely to return to practice soon, per Mike Curtis of the Detroit News.

    Bogdanovic has yet to play this season after suffering a calf injury. He appeared in 59 games last year, averaging a career-high 21.4 points.

    • Bogdanovic, 34, was also the subject of trade rumors last season all the way up until the February trade deadline. That doesn’t appear to be changing this year. We have the latest on that right here.
    • Big man Jalen Duren could also return shortly, Curtis reported. Duren has missed the past five games with an ankle injury.

    Heat

  • East Notes: Sixers, De’Anthony Melton, Nets, Magic

    East Notes: Sixers, De’Anthony Melton, Nets, Magic

    76ers

    Guard De’Anthony Melton has been a pleasant surprise for the Sixers lately, scoring 21 on 8-of-10 shooting in Sunday’s 121-99 road win over the Nets. That marked his fifth straight game in double figures.

    “He’s such a good shooter, a good player,” coach Nick Nurse told reporters. “It’s huge for us because there should be a lot of crowded paint, so we’re going to need to shoot over the top of those sometimes.”

    • All-Star center Joel Embiid praised the team’s effort at the defensive end. “It started on defense. We got a few stops. We were able to run in transition and then went small and we took advantage with a bunch of high-lows.”
    • Embiid added: “We’re just working together. We’re doing a great job playing together.”

    Nets

    The Nets are playing well, for the most part, but have been doomed recently by opponents going on big runs to close a half.

    “Teams are doing different things to us at the end of quarters to disrupt (us), so you have to have a poise about you,” coach Jacque Vaughn told reporters. “We’re still searching for that. We’ll continue to work on that and get better, but you see how those momentum plays make a difference, especially at the end of quarters.”

    • Brooklyn is now 2-7 against teams with winning records.
    • Guard Lonnie Walker IV said if the Nets are hoping for a turnaround, it will need to start at the defensive end. “Just making our presence felt,” he told reporters. “Let the [other] team feel us. … Our identity has to be defense.” 

    Magic

    Guard Jalen Suggs told reporters Sunday’s road rout of the Pacers was all about striking first.

    “Just come out and hit ’em in the mouth early,” Suggs said. ”It’s like a boxing match. Once you’ve got in their head, that they don’t want to get hit, they don’t want to play physical, they don’t want to play against tough defense … that’s hard to play against, night in and night out.”

    • Six Orlando players scored at least 13 points in the game, as the Magic improved to 6-3 on the road.
  • East Notes: Celtics, Derrick White, Sixers, Knicks

    East Notes: Celtics, Derrick White, Sixers, Knicks

    Celtics

    It took everything they had, but Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and the Celtics fought their way to an impressive road win over the 76ers on Wednesday. This despite the fact Jaylen Brown (illness) and Kristaps Porzingis (bruised knee) were out.Derrick White, Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid battle for a loos ball

    Tatum scored 29 points and White had 27, including 14 in the fourth quarter.

    “Everyone has to step it up a little bit,” White told reporters. “Obviously, guys like J.B. and K.P., you can’t do what they do. But you have to step it up just a little bit and I think that a lot of guys stepped up tonight.”

    • Coach Joe Mazzulla also had plenty of praise for Jrue Holiday, who finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds. “Jrue, I told him before the game, ‘I watched you on film take things over when guys on the Bucks team were out, and you won games because of what you did on both ends,’” Mazzulla said, via Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. “So, he was able to do some of that tonight.”

    76ers

    The Sixers were playing the second game of a back-to-back and third in four nights in the loss to Boston. It may have caught up with them in the second half.

    “The physicality on the ball, we were not able to get into things as crisply as we would like to,” coach Nick Nurse said. “It’s not always easy coming off a back-to-back like that and it took us a minute to get into the game. I think that we gave up some easy offense and dug ourselves a hole.”

    Knicks 

    Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle came up big in Wednesday’s road win over the Hawks, as Brunson hit a pull-up jumper with 18 seconds to go. New York claimed a 116-114 victory.

    “We showed a lot of toughness — more mental than physical — and found a way to win,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters.

    • Thibodeau added that Brunson in particular showed some stick-to-itiveness in a close game and came through when they needed him most. “He couldn’t find his rhythm early,” Thibodeau said. “But he just kept working the game, working the game, working the game.”
  • Police: Surveillance Video Does Not Show Hit-and-Run Involving Sixers’ Kelly Oubre

    Police: Surveillance Video Does Not Show Hit-and-Run Involving Sixers’ Kelly Oubre

    Surveillance footage from the hit-and-run involving 76ers forward Kelly Oubre does not yet show a vehicle or accident at the intersection where it reportedly occurred, police said, via Max Marin, Ximena Conde, and Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.Kelly Oubre

    Oubre suffered a broken rib as a result of being hit by a car as he crossed the road in front of his home. Police said they have been searching for a silver vehicle.

    “The Police Department currently does not have any video or photographic evidence that depicts this collision,” department spokesperson Sgt. Eric Gripp said, via the Inquirer. “We continue to work in hopes of gathering evidence and we encourage anyone who has information to reach out to our crash investigation unit.”

    Oubre returned to practice and rode an exercise bike on Tuesday, per reports. He is said to be in “high spirits” despite the accident and resulting injuries. He is expected to miss a significant amount of time after just earning a starting role.

    Per Pompey and the Inquirer:

    “Two employees of businesses near the reported crash site told The Inquirer they reviewed roughly two hours of footage from that evening on their work surveillance systems and did not see the crash. They asked to remain anonymous due to the high-profile nature of the case.

    “Gripp emphasized that police have not accused Oubre of anything and the investigation is ongoing. But the lack of immediate visual evidence confirming the crash on a well-trafficked downtown street raises questions about the information Oubre provided to police.”

    The report went on to say that Oubre may not have provided an accurate description of where the accident took place. He said he was only sure that he was returning to his residence on foot.

  • East Notes: Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton, Sixers, Nets

    East Notes: Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton, Sixers, Nets

    Pacers

    • Point guard Tyrese Haliburton finished with 33 points, 15 assists, and zero turnovers in an In-Season Tournament road win over the 76ers, making him just the fifth player in NBA history to accomplish the feat.
    • Per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, Haliburton joined John Stockton (33/15/0 in 1989), Chris Paul (32/15/0 in 2009), LeBron James (35/17/0 in 2018) and James Harden (30/15/0 in 2021).
    • Also, Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files reported Haliburton’s combined stats in the last two games vs. the Sixers: 58 points, 32 assists and zero turnovers in 75 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, Tony East of SI.com wrote, “Huge win for the Pacers on the road, and they are on top of their In-Season Tournament group. Best win of the season. 33 and 15 for Haliburton. 27 for (Obi Toppin) in his best game of the season. Pacers are 7-4.”

    76ers

    The home loss to Indiana snapped an eight-game win streak for the 76ers, who were out of sorts most of the night, opined Kyle Neubeck of PHLY_Sports.

    “A huge portion of the problem was the pace of play,” Neubeck wrote. “There were quite a few possessions where (Joel Embiid) got down the floor and in position to catch a pass, only for his teammates to dawdle on the entry, giving the Pacers an opportunity to set up their help. When Embiid is being guarded by Aaron Nesmith one-on-one by the paint, you should basically be able to throw it anywhere and have it turn into two points or free throws. But when you wait eight seconds to consider throwing the pass, that window shrinks, and an off-ball double becomes increasingly likely.”

    • Along with all that, the Sixers really need to get some help when it comes to a reserve who can set up the office, Neubeck wrote.

    Nets

    • Guard Spencer Dinwiddie helped the injured-riddled Nets blast the Magic in an In-Season Tournament game, scoring 29 points to lead six Brooklyn players in double figures.
    • Forward Cam Johnson also shook off some early struggles after returning from a back injury, scoring 20 points.
    • In case you missed it, Ben Simmons has another back issue and will miss more time, as our Brandon Santomauro relayed here.
  • Sixers Pay Visit to Kelly Oubre, Injured After Being Hit by Car

    Sixers Pay Visit to Kelly Oubre, Injured After Being Hit by Car

    Coach Nick Nurse and the 76ers players paid a visit to small forward Kelly Oubre, who suffered broken ribs and other injuries after being hit by a car outside his Philadelphia home.Kelly Oubre Jr

    Oubre is expected to miss significant time as a result, though he is likely to be back at some point this season.

    “When he’s communicating with me, he’s always saying how soon he’s going to be back,” Nurse said, via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I think he’s in a pretty good mindset as far as that goes. There certainly is a mental element, a toughness element, a patience element, getting your confidence back element. All those kinds of things.

    “But I think he’s a pretty strong personality. We’ll see how it goes. I think we will have some more information here in a few days.”

    According to a police report, Oubre was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. So far, no arrests have been made — though street surveillance may have captured images of the license plate, which undoubtedly would assist in the investigation.

    Oubre, 27, is off to a hot start after signing a one-year deal with the 76ers in September –averaging 16.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in the first eight games, shooting 50 percent from the field and 38 percent on 3-pointers. He earned the starting role after P.J. Tucker was sent to the Clippers as part of the James Harden trade.

    Oubre spent the past two seasons with the Hornets before entering free agency in the summer. He signed with the Sixers for the veteran’s minimum, reports said.

    In 48 games with Charlotte last season, Oubre averaged 20.3 points and shot 43 percent from the field and 32 percent on threes.

    He has also spent time with the Wizards, Warriors and Suns, compiling averages of 12.8 points in 527 career games.

  • Sixers’ Kelly Oubre Suffers Broken Ribs After Being Hit by Car That Reportedly Fled Scene

    Sixers’ Kelly Oubre Suffers Broken Ribs After Being Hit by Car That Reportedly Fled Scene

    Sixers guard/forward Kelly Oubre Jr. suffered broken ribs and multiple cuts and bruises after being hit by a car on Saturday night and is expected to miss significant time, as relayed by Shams Charania of The Athletic.Kelly Oubre shoots over Jrue Holiday

    Oubre was walking near his home in downtown Philadelphia when he was struck by the vehicle, team officials said. 

    6ABC in Philadelphia reported that police believe Oubre was hit by a silver vehicle that fled the scene.

    Specifically, Oubre was struck about 7 p.m. EST while crossing Broad and Locust Streets in Center City, Philadelphia police said in an email to the Associated Press. He was immediately taken to Jefferson Hospital and has since been released.

    Oubre, 27, is off to a hot start after signing a one-year deal with the 76ers in September –averaging 16.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in the first eight games, shooting 50 percent from the field and 38 percent on 3-pointers. He earned the starting role after P.J. Tucker was sent to the Clippers as part of the James Harden trade.

    Oubre spent the past two seasons with the Hornets before entering free agency in the summer. He reportedly signed with the Sixers for the veteran’s minimum.

    In 48 games with Charlotte last season, Oubre averaged 20.3 points and shot 43 percent from the field and 32 percent on threes.

    He has also spent time with the Wizards, Warriors and Suns, compiling averages of 12.8 points in 527 career games.

  • East Notes: Nets, Cam Johnson, Heat, Tyler Herro, Sixers

    East Notes: Nets, Cam Johnson, Heat, Tyler Herro, Sixers

    Nets

    Small forward Cam Johnson indicated he was both surprised and not-so-surprised by his trade from the Suns to the Nets in February.

    “Man, you know how this league is, anything can happen,” Johnson said on Tidal League, via HoopsHype. “It’s not like the trade came completely out of left field, you know what I mean, it’s not like I’m sitting down minding my business, nothing’s on the radar and then boom.

    “That trade was on the table since (Kevin Durant) initially requested a trade back in June, so it was always a possibility. It’s just as you get down to the trade deadline with like 12 hours to go you don’t know what’s going to happen, 1:00 a.m., like you’re just getting ready for bed for a game the next day, you’re not expecting it to happen in that moment so in the moment it’s like wow, like what just happened.”

    • Johnson has made just one appearance but is expected to return for Friday’s road game vs. the Celtics. Though he suggested he could be on a minutes restriction, per Evan Barnes of Newsday.

    Heat

    Coach Erik Spoelstra said the Heat will do everything they can to overcome the loss of guard Tyler Herro, who’s expected to miss multiple weeks with a sprained ankle. 

    “We’ll have to adapt,” Spoelstra said, via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “We’ll have to really lean into our defense.”

    76ers

    Guard De’Anthony Melton is aiming to emerge from a shooting slump that’s plagued his early season.

    “Don’t think too hard about it,” Melton said, via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Just go back to our mechanics. Go back to the foundation that you have. That’s what I’ve been trying to do. …

    “I’m glad we’re playing well. I’m glad we’re winning, and I’m not playing my best. So that’s even more exciting for us.”

    • Guard Patrick Beverley indicated he’s one of the best to offer a spark off the bench in the entire league. “The best plus-minus off the bench in the NBA, so it’s expected,” Beverley said, via Pompey. “I’m a professional. I go out there and impact winning. I was just fortunate to be able to do that since I’ve been here.”
  • Jameer Nelson Named GM of G League’s Delaware Blue Coats

    Jameer Nelson Named GM of G League’s Delaware Blue Coats

    Former Magic point guard Jameer Nelson has been named general manager of the Delaware Blue Coats, the Philadelphia 76ers’ affiliate in the G League, the team announced.Jameer Nelson

    Nelson had been serving as assistant GM and a Sixers scout before receiving the promotion.

    The Blue Coats are coming off a G League title and their former GM, Prosper Karangwa, moved into the Sixers’ front office.

    Nelson, 41, spent his first 10 seasons as a player with the Magic, followed by the Nuggets, Mavericks, Pistons, Celtics and Mavericks during a 14-year career. He teamed with center Dwight Howard on a Magic team — coached by Stan Van Gundy — that reached the Finals in 2009.

    “Jameer has approached his front office and scouting roles with the same tenacity that he approached the game during his playing career,” Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said. “He is a great talent evaluator who is well-respected by players, agents, coaches and executives alike.”

    The Blue Coats are coached by former Cavs and Suns assistant Mike Longabardi.