Hoops Wire

Category: 76ers

Latest Philadelphia 76ers Rumors and News.

  • East Notes: Wizards, Kyle Kuzma, Sixers, Joel Embiid, Celtics

    East Notes: Wizards, Kyle Kuzma, Sixers, Joel Embiid, Celtics

    Wizards

    The Wizards’ reserves outscored the Hornets by a whopping 72-23 count for a stunning road win on Wednesday.Kyle Kuzma

    “The bench was unbelievable,” Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. told reporters. “They have shown spurts for us in this young season. It’s comforting to know that you have guys who can come in and impact the game offensively and defensively and stem the tide and hold off runs.”

    • Forward Kyle Kuzma wasn’t too bad himself, scoring 33. But even he credited the bench. “I have to give some credit to the bench, they played phenomenal tonight,” Kuzma said. “… Those guys were huge for us and they propelled us to a win.”

    76ers

    Don’t look now, but the Sixers have won six in a row. Their lone loss came in the opener, at Milwaukee, and they lost by a single point. So much for the James Harden drama.

    “New coach, new systems, bunch of new guys, just trying to get everybody up to speed,” center Joel Embiid said. “Let’s see what we can do.”

    Celtics

    In the loss to Philadelphia, big man Kristaps Porzingis missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds that could’ve tied it. Both teams entered the game 5-1.

    “It was a really good look,” Porzingis told reporters. “As I went into the shot, I kind of went into it as it was a mid-range shot. I jumped a little higher. I usually don’t do that for 3s. I just shot it bad.”

    • Boston allowed the Sixers to close the third quarter with a flurry, going up 81-71 entering the final 12 minutes. “Any time you’re playing against a great team, like (Tyrese Maxey) and Embiid, if you’re down 10, you’re down 15 to 18 because of their ability to make shots,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.
  • East Notes: Nets, Ben Simmons, Sixers, Cavs

    East Notes: Nets, Ben Simmons, Sixers, Cavs

    Nets

    Ben Simmons missed Wednesday’s game against the Clippers with a hip injury, having been ruled out shortly before tipoff. Ben Simmons

    Coach Jacque Vaughn said Simmons’ status for Friday’s game vs. the Celtics is up in the air.

    “It’s going to be just really how he responds,” Vaughn said, via Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “He’ll get treatment tonight. We get the day in between Boston he’ll get treatment tomorrow. And I’ll touch base with him to see how he’s feeling.”

     76ers

    Coach Nick Nurse said he’s still looking for rising guard Tyrese Maxey to be even better.

    “I want (Maxey) to be more aggressive than he’s being … he needs to take those chances more often … he’s running a good floor game, going to what’s open,” Nurse said, via Bobby Manning of CLNS Media.

    • Forward Tobias Harris said the Sixers looked forward to seeing how they stack up against the Celtics. “They’ve been playing great basketball,” Harris said, via Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “So we are going to embrace this challenge and opportunity for us. We truly believe we have a great group here, a really good team.

    Cavaliers

  • Coach Nick Nurse Looking for More After Sixers Win Fourth Straight

    Coach Nick Nurse Looking for More After Sixers Win Fourth Straight

    Things are going very well for the 76ers without James Harden, traded to the Clippers earlier in the week.Nick Nurse speaks with Tyrese Maxey

    In fact, Philadelphia has now won four straight, including Saturday’s home win over the short-handed Suns — who were again without guard Devin Booker and remain without Bradley Beal.

    In Saturday’s win, though, Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey got off to a slow start before finishing with 22 points. 

    First-year coach Nick Nurse said his expectations for Maxey — and the entire squad — remain high.

    “It’s not enough,” he said of Maxey’s slow start, via Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports. “He’s too good to have a quiet first half. I’m not criticizing him, I’m just implying that he needs to be more aggressive. He’s too good beating people off the dribble, he’s too good a shooter, to not take more chances.

    “So we’re going to keep working on that a little bit. But I’m glad that he bounced back. We started calling a few (plays) for him.”

    Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Kelly Oubre recorded 25 points and Tobias Harris had 18 points and 10 boards.

    But for starters, things are going well for Philadelphia minus Harden in the early season, and the play of Maxey is a big reason why.

  • East Notes: Bulls, DeMar DeRozan, Sixers, Nic Batum, Heat

    East Notes: Bulls, DeMar DeRozan, Sixers, Nic Batum, Heat

    Bulls

    Veteran guard/forward DeMar DeRozan suggested he’s focused solely on winning games, and not the looming possibility of a contract extension.DeMar DeRozan

    I honestly don’t think about it at all. I never have. It doesn’t worry me or stress me out,” DeRozan said in an exclusive interview with K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “Again, I control what I can control. And in due time, let it speak for itself.”

    DeRozan was also asked if loyalty is important to him.

    “Once I’m in, I’m in. That’s the type of friend I am,” he told Johnson. “If I call you my friend, I’m in it with you. You can call me in the middle of the night and I’ll walk with you to the grocery store if that’s what you need. That’s just how I view it — fun times, tough times. I’m not just in it for perfection. I’m in it for whatever else comes with it. That’s my mindset and I don’t waver from that.”

    • In case you missed it, despite the rumors, the Bulls aren’t actively looking to trade shooting guard Zach LaVine. We have that full story and LaVine’s response to the rumors right here.

    76ers

    Heat

    Coach Erik Spoelstra is all in when it comes to the NBA’s new In-Season Tournament.

    “The last time there was a move like this, it was a play-in,” Spoelstra said, via Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “I remember everybody saying, ‘Oh, it’s a horrible idea, this and that.’ But I think it’s been really good for the league. … So this, I think, just give it a little bit of time and I think, ultimately, it’ll be good for the league.”

    • I wrote about what some retired players think (and what I think) of the tournament in my latest Dribbles, though I should warn it comes with a Cavs angle. You can check that out here.
    • The Heat’s offense is struggling, is struggling as badly as it did last season, wrote Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel in his latest mailbag. “The Heat’s offense is bad, but it also was bad at this stage last season (largely due to turnovers) and only got marginally better, with the team still somehow able to make it to the NBA Finals,” Winderman wrote. “But now it’s as if they are running two offenses, one that features more of Tyler Herro freelancing, and one that is more system-driven with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.”
  • Joel Embiid Says He Hopes Sixers and James Harden’s Clippers Meet in Finals

    Joel Embiid Says He Hopes Sixers and James Harden’s Clippers Meet in Finals

    Center Joel Embiid spoke about James Harden‘s time with the Sixers, indicating they did all they could to give Harden the ball and let him do his thing.Joel Embiid and James Harden

    “In my opinion, I just feel like we allowed him to be himself and we gave him the ball every single possession because he is really good,” Embiid told reporters. “I mean, he’s an amazing player. Obviously, being that great of a passer, I think we just gave him the ball. If you watch again, we gave him the ball every single possession to just go out and do his thing and from there, he had to make decisions as far as getting guys open or looking out for himself. But I thought it did a pretty good job of just getting us into an offense, and not just passing the ball, getting guys open.”

    Embiid added he wished the Sixers could have gotten further in the playoffs before all the drama — which resulted in Harden being traded to the Clippers as part of a multiplayer deal.

    “I mean, I’m happy that the situation got resolved and I’m happy for him,” Embiid said. “He wanted it to happen. But it’s all business. I’m happy for him. I hope he has the chance to succeed and make a lot of money and play good basketball and is able to win. Now, I hope we both make the Finals but, you know, he’s on the losing side of it and we’re on the winning side of it. But I’m just, like I said, I’m happy for him. He got what he wanted.

    “Unfortunately, there was a lot of misunderstanding between people that were mentioned but it’s always good to see people happy and he seems to be happy.”

  • Sixers Officially Waive Danny Green

    Sixers Officially Waive Danny Green

    Someone needed to go as a result of the multiplayer trade that sent James Harden and P.J. Tucker to the Clippers and brought four veterans to the 76ers.Danny Green

    It turned out to be Sixers guard Danny Green, who now has been officially waived, per the NBA transactions log.

    Green, 36, appeared in two games with the Sixers this season, failing to score, after re-signing with the team this past offseason.

    He spent last season with the Cavaliers, averaging 6.5 points and shooting 45 percent on 3-pointers in eight games. He also played for the Sixers from 2020-22, as well as served stints with the Raptors, Lakers, Grizzlies and most notably the Spurs.

    Green is currently 39th on the all-time NBA 3-point list with 1,577 career-made threes. He is also ninth in career playoff 3-point field goals with 315 made threes in the postseason.

    His previous connection to the 76ers’ organization and new head coach Nick Nurse, who he won a championship with in 2019, is the main reason for the team welcoming him back. Throughout Green’s career, he has established himself as a reliable role player who can make open shots and play solid defense on winning teams. 

    Green will become an unrestricted free agent upon clearing waivers on Friday.

    Brandon Santomauro contributed to this report.

  • NBA Notes: Bulls, Zach LaVine, Trade Rumors, Kings, Sixers

    NBA Notes: Bulls, Zach LaVine, Trade Rumors, Kings, Sixers

    Bulls

    Guard Zach LaVine is again being mentioned in trade rumors, this time involving the 76ers. But he told Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune he’s unfazed.Zach LaVine

    “I’ve been traded before,” LaVine said. “Trades are just part of the business and guys get shuffled around every year. I’ve been in trade talks since I’ve been here for some reason.

    “I feel like I’ve held up my end of the bargain in my commitment to the Bulls, but there’s not a lot you can do with rumors and people putting your name in trade talks.”

    • The Bulls are believed to have a large asking price for LaVine or forward DeMar DeRozan — but that could come down, depending on how the season goes. As it stands, Chicago is not considered an Eastern Conference contender.

    Kings

    • The Kings are indeed acquiring big man Filip Petrusev in a trade with the Clippers, per Sean Cunningham of KTXL. The news was broken earlier in the day.
    • As Cunningham wrote, the Kings have an open roster spot and are going to give Petrusev a look. He was considered a throw-in in the James Harden trade and LA had no intentions of keeping him.
    • It’s unclear what, if anything, the Clippers are receiving in return. Though in these situations, it’s either cash or a second-round pick.

    76ers

    President of basketball operations Daryl Morey offered thanks to James Harden, P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev in a press conference, but focused mostly on the Sixers’ newcomers, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

    “I first wanted to thank James, PJ and Filip. Obviously great competitors for us,” Morey said. “But today’s about the new guys. We’re very excited for who we’re bringing in. Obviously folks know Robert Covington. Quite a fun reunion for myself as well. I think he’s part of Sixers lore. I was amazed he’s second in made 3-pointers. I just talked to him and he was like, ‘I’m breaking that record,’ so let’s have that.

    “Nic Batum is someone I’ve gone against in the playoffs, and he’s gotten the better of me some and we’ve gotten the better of him some. He’s going to add a lot to the team. …

    “(K.J. Martin): Young, up-and-coming player. Love what he can provide, especially with the way (Nick Nurse) has us playing in transition.

    “And Marcus Morris is obviously another reunion of sorts. He seems like one of the guys most famously from Philadelphia in the league, because he’s so proud of his roots.”

  • East Notes: Sixers, Kelly Oubre, Heat, Bam Adebayo, Cavs

    East Notes: Sixers, Kelly Oubre, Heat, Bam Adebayo, Cavs

    76ers

    Heat

    Forward Bam Adebayo said the Heat are still seeking answers after a 1-3 start.

    “We’ve been dealing with a lot of stuff at the beginning of the season,” he said, via Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “You go through those types of things. The biggest thing for us is looking for solutions.”

    Cavaliers

    Star guard Donovan Mitchell said the goal for the Cavs can’t be to just beat the Knicks, an opponent that everyone in Cleveland now considers a rival.

    “As much as we continue to harp on it, what happened last season happened last season, neither one of us won the championship, so we got to find a way to win enough games to get to the playoffs, win in the playoffs and get to a championship,” Mitchell said. “That’s the ultimate goal.”

  • Clippers Announce Trade for James Harden

    Clippers Announce Trade for James Harden

    The trade of James Harden is official, as the Clippers released a statement from president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.James Harden

    “James is one of the most prolific and efficient playmakers in the NBA,” Frank said. “With his size and vision, he possesses an extraordinary ability to create for himself and others.”

    Harden arrives from the 76ers in exchange for Marcus Morris, Nicolas Batum, K.J. Martin, Robert Covington and multiple draft picks and a pick swap.

    The Sixers also received P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev as part of the trade. 

    “We’ve admired PJ for a long time because of his toughness and pride,” Frank said. “He competes every night and he defends across virtually every position. We believe he’ll bolster our frontcourt and fit our locker room.”

    The Clippers are also sending a 2027 first-round pick swap to the Thunder — and the Thunder will move a protected 2026 first-round pick to the 76ers, in the process. The Sixers are also receiving a 2028 unprotected first-rounder, second-rounders in 2024 and 2029 from the Clippers.

  • Report: Sixers, Clippers Ownership Told GMs to Get James Harden Deal Done After NBA Inquiries

    Report: Sixers, Clippers Ownership Told GMs to Get James Harden Deal Done After NBA Inquiries

    It didn’t take long for the 76ers and Clippers to pull off a James Harden trade. Only about six months.James Harden

    That’s a joke, as NBA deals usually take a week, or less. Otherwise, teams tend to nix them. And the Clippers did pause talks on a potential trade for Harden to focus on the start of the season.

    But then ownership of both the Sixers and Clippers stepped in, per veteran NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson.

    Now, Harden is with the Clippers, as he sat on the sidelines and watched his new team beat the Magic on Tuesday.

    Per Robinson, things heated up when the Sixers prohibited Harden from boarding the team flight for the two-game trip to start the season. That followed a stretch where Harden skipped more than a week of practice.

    Robinson cited a source in detailing the timeline that followed:

    • On Friday, the NBA told the Sixers to get the Harden situation handled, and to do it quickly.
    • Later that night, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey restarted Harden trade talks with the Clippers.
    • The next day, the Clippers’ front office “plays hardball,” telling the 76ers they want more than Harden.
    • As negotiations continued, Robinson reported other NBA owners complained to Sixers owner Josh Harris to “stop obsessing over his NFL team (Washington Commanders) and pay attention to his NBA team.”
    • Then on Sunday, Morey made a counteroffer to the Clippers. Later that night, the NBA spoke with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer to find out if LA’s interest in Harden was “legitimate,” Robinson reported.
    • The following morning, both Harris and Ballmer told their lead basketball executives to finalize a trade, per Robinson.
    • On Monday night, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski was told that a Harden trade was just about finished — so he decided not to board a flight to Los Angeles to break the story, Robinson wrote. Wojnarowski did indeed break the news, at about 2 a.m. Eastern.
    • Robinson added: “Sixers and Clippers agree to deal, Woj is kicked out of airport lounge since he missed his flight and goes home. Morey goes to bed around 4 a.m. EST.”

    And with that, Harden got his wish, and the Sixers probably got theirs, too. It just may have taken a major push for it to happen.

  • James Harden Reportedly ‘Ecstatic’ Over Trade to Clippers

    James Harden Reportedly ‘Ecstatic’ Over Trade to Clippers

    Get used to calling him Clippers guard James Harden because it’s only a matter of time before the trade with the 76ers becomes official.James Harden drives to the basket as Jayson Tatum trails

    And from the sounds of things, Harden is thrilled with the deal. Why wouldn’t he be? The Clippers were the very team to which he requested a trade back in June. Finally, the sides were able to reach a deal, as we relayed here.

    Anyway, per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Harden is “ecstatic” to head to LA.

    Harden, 34, is originally from Los Angeles, as are fellow Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook. That may make the organization feel more comfortable knowing that all four are eligible for free agency after the season.

    So, yes, Harden got what he wanted, and for the most part, so probably did the Sixers, who could still make another move with the players or picks they got in return.

    As Shelburne noted, Harden was expected to fly to LA immediately and hoped to attend Tuesday’s Clippers game vs. the Magic. He’s not expected to suit up until next week.

  • Incoming Sixer Marcus Morris: ‘I Had to Get Out of Hollywood’

    Incoming Sixer Marcus Morris: ‘I Had to Get Out of Hollywood’

    James Harden was the main name in the big trade between the 76ers and Clippers, but there were six other players involved.Marcus Morris

    One of them was Clippers forward Marcus Morris, who’s headed to Philadelphia. And from the sounds of things, Morris couldn’t be happier.

    “I had to get out of Hollywood,” Morris wrote on his Instagram story following news of the trade. Why, though, he didn’t say.

    Morris, 34, has been quite the journeyman, as Philadelphia becomes his sixth team. He spent most of his time with the Clippers — almost four whole seasons. He averaged 11.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in 65 games last season.

    So while he may not come with the star power of, say, a Harden, Morris could be an underrated addition for the Sixers. Especially now that he is apparently happy to be somewhere other than LA.

  • Sixers May Be Eyeing Larger Deal After James Harden Trade With Clippers

    Sixers May Be Eyeing Larger Deal After James Harden Trade With Clippers

    Finally, the 76ers did what they and James Harden wanted for about six months — by agreeing to a trade that will send Harden to the Clippers.Daryl Morey

    But they may not be done, per Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.

    Instead, it appears they are looking to use some of the picks (and perhaps a player) they received from Los Angeles to land some more immediate help. They have already been linked to Bulls guard Zach LaVine and Raptors forward OG Anunoby, as well as a few others.

    Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Sixers will receive Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington and K.J. Martin, as well as multiple draft picks and a pick swap as part of the deal.

    In exchange, the Clippers are getting Harden, P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev, Woj added. 

    The Clippers are also sending a 2027 first-round pick swap to the Thunder — and the Thunder will move a protected 2026 first-round pick to the 76ers, in the process. The Sixers are also receiving a 2028 unprotected first-rounder, second-rounders in 2024 and 2029 from the Clippers, per Wojnarowski.

    So while the Clippers may be set with a lineup featuring Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook, it appears the Sixers are not yet a finished product.

    Harden, 34, demanded a trade back in June after what was clearly a falling out with 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, with Harden indicating before the season their relationship was beyond repair. The Sixers had been in talks with the Clippers on and off ever since, reports suggest.

  • Sixers to Acquire Four Players, Multiple Picks From Clippers for James Harden, PJ Tucker

    Sixers to Acquire Four Players, Multiple Picks From Clippers for James Harden, PJ Tucker

    It took a while, but we finally know who the Clippers are trading to the 76ers in exchange for James Harden. And oh by the way, Philadelphia is sending P.J. Tucker to Los Angeles, too.James Harden

    Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who broke the news, the Sixers will receive Marcus Morris, Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington and K.J. Martin, as well as multiple draft picks and a pick swap as part of the deal.

    In exchange, the Clippers will get Harden, Tucker and Filip Petrusev, Woj added.

    Along with those moves, the Sixers intend to waive veteran guard Danny Green to make room for the players being acquired from LA, Wojnarowski reported.

    As for the picks, the Sixers are receiving 2028 unprotected first-rounder, two second-rounders, and the pick swap, per Wojnarowski. “The Clippers are also routing the 76ers an additional future first-round pick from a third team,” he wrote.

    Harden, 34, demanded a trade, specifically to the Clippers, back in June after picking up his $35.6 million contract option. After months of on-again, off-again negotiations, the sides finally reached a deal.

    We have more on that story here and will have plenty ahead as the news becomes available.