OCTOBER 21, 2023•SUNHERALD.COM
Nick Nurse Shares Thoughts on Joel Embiid's Debut vs. HawksNick Nurse reacts to Joel Embiid’s season debut vs. Hawks
Javonte Smart - Upgraded to two-way dealThe 76ers converted Smart's Exhibit 10 deal to a two-way contract Saturday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
ImpactSmart will join undrafted rookies Terquavion Smith and Azuolas Tubelis as the 76ers' three two-way players. The 24-year-old guard last saw NBA action in 2021-22, when he made 17 appearances between the Heat and Bucks and averaged 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 11.8 minutes. Though he'll be eligible to suit up for at least 50 of the 76ers' 82 games while under the two-way deal, Smart is likely to see the majority of his playing time with the G League's Delaware Blue Coats.
OCTOBER 21, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Tyrese Maxey - Double-double in preseason finaleMaxey scored 15 points (5-11 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 2-3 FT) while adding 12 assists, three steals, two rebounds and a block in 32 minutes during Friday's 120-106 preseason win over the Hawks...
ImpactJames Harden remains away from the Sixers due to his trade demand, and it's looking doubtful he'll be in the lineup when the regular season tips off Thursday, Oct. 26 against the Bucks. That could be good news for Maxey though, as the fourth-year guard may see more of the ball after recording a career-high 24.1 percent usage rate last season. Joel Embiid remains the centerpiece of Philly's offense, but with Maxey as the No. 2 option rather than the No. 3, a career-best campaign would likely follow.
OCTOBER 21, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Joel Embiid - Thrives at charity stripe FridayEmbiid scored 21 points (3-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 14-15 FT) while adding five rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal in 33 minutes during Friday's 120-106 preseason win over the Hawk...
ImpactThe reigning MVP had trouble getting his shot to fall against the Atlanta big man duo of Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu, but he made up for it at the free-throw line. With James Harden seemingly poised to miss the beginning of the regular season due to his trade demand, Embiid could have an even bigger role than usual in the Sixers' offense, even though he's seen at least a 37 percent usage rate in each of the last two campaigns.
OCTOBER 21, 2023•ROTOWIRE
De'Anthony Melton - Erupts for 29 without HardenMelton scored a game-high 29 points (11-16 FG, 6-10 3Pt, 1-2 FT) while adding five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in 25 minutes during Friday's 120-106 preseason win...
ImpactWith James Harden away from the team due to his trade demand and looking iffy for the start of the regular season, Melton got the start in the Philly backcourt alongside Tyrese Maxey and did his best to make fans forget about the absent superstar. Melton has gone 11-for-25 (44 percent) from three-point range this preseason, and while he's never averaged more than 10.8 points a night over an NBA season, he could be poised for significant fantasy value if Harden isn't on the court to begin the regular season.
OCTOBER 21, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Joel Embiid Opens up on Sixers New Lineup ExperimentJoel Embiid reflects on playing alongside Paul Reed
OCTOBER 21, 2023•STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Saddiq Bey - Hits for 13 in Friday's lossBey scored 13 points (4-7 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 Ft) while adding four rebounds and an assist in 24 minutes during Friday's 120-106 preseason loss to the 76ers.
ImpactThe 24-year-old forward got pushed this preseason for a starting job by Jalen Johnson, but Bey seems to have done enough to stay in the starting five with two strong performances to close out the exhibition schedule after he popped for 21 points and 10 boards against the Pacers on Monday. His offensive contributions (14.8 PPG to 11.6 PPG) and usage rate (21.3% to 17.4%) declined last season after the trade that brought him over from Detroit, but Atlanta needs secondary scoring behind Trae Young, so Bey's three-point shooting should allow him to maintain a consistent role.
OCTOBER 21, 2023•ROTOWIRE
