Potential 76ers Details how Trade Target Suffers Setback Before Deadline
In just a few weeks, the NBA’s trade deadline will take place, capping all moves until the end of the season. The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to be active in the market, checking for moves that could boost their odds of making a title run.
One popular name on the trade market has been frequently linked to the 76ers, as Chicago Bulls veteran Zach LaVine fits the star-caliber player description that Daryl Morey has been in search of in the past. However, Philadelphia’s interest in LaVine has been lukewarm at best. And the longer LaVine sits on the block untraded, the more his value dips as he’s struggled to stay healthy this year.
ANOTHER SETBACK FOR LAVINE
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, LaVine is expected to miss at least one-to-two weeks due to a right ankle sprain. The star veteran left Chicago’s latest game against the Toronto Raptors after spending 24 minutes on the court.
Typically, a one-to-two-week timeline wouldn’t have a notable effect on inquiring teams’ interest, but the fact that LaVine just returned from a multi-week injury could leave teams more hesitant to look to land him.
Following a November 28 matchup against the Boston Celtics, LaVine missed 17 games in a row. He returned to the court on January 5, two matchups after the Sixers and the Bulls battled it out for two straight matchups.
In his first seven games back, LaVine averaged 34 minutes on the court. He averaged 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists while draining 39 percent of his threes.
LaVine’s next return to the court will be cutting it close to the deadline.
Further Reading:
Sixers look to keep rolling against Spurs
The Philadelphia 76ers will look for their sixth consecutive victory when they host the struggling San Antonio Spurs on Monday. Reigning Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid had 33 points and 10 rebounds in the Sixers’ 97-89 victory Saturday over the Charlotte Hornets. It was the 20th straight game that Embiid produced at least 30 points. The Sixers finished the first half of the season at 28-13, and that’s with Embiid missing 10 games.
From here, first-year coach Nick Nurse believes that the Sixers can be even better. ‘I think that I’m getting to the point where I think we’re pretty happy in that we know who we are and we know the players on the roster,” Nurse said. “We’re starting to figure out rotations and fill in and plug injuries and all those kinds of things.
There is a decent amount of work to do, yet I keep saying that. I also think at the halfway point, we’re probably halfway there, right?” The Sixers defeated the Hornets without a number of key injured role players such as De’Anthony Melton, Robert Covington, Mo Bamba, Patrick Beverley and Jaden Springer. Yet they found a way anchored by their MVP.
Tobias Harris added 21 points and Tyrese Maxey had 16. “We could be way better,” Embiid said. “Obviously, we haven’t been as fortunate when it comes to health. I missed (some) games and we’ve got (some) guys that are missing games, but I think credit goes to the coaches. Coach Nurse and his guys. They prepare us every single night.”
The Spurs will arrive in Philadelphia coming off a rare victory, 131-127 over the host Washington Wizards on Saturday. No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama had 24 points and eight rebounds, Jeremy Sochan added 23 points and Devin Vassell contributed 21. Tre Jones played a terrific all-around game with 11 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists. In a virtually lost season that has included only eight victories, rallying from a 12-point deficit for a victory had to be a boost of confidence. “Playing as a team again,”
Wembanyama said of what buoyed the come-from-behind win. “I think we were slow. I was very slow. My legs were heavy tonight. And getting some stops. We relaxed and I could feel the shift from all my teammates — me included — in the fourth quarter and, fortunately, it worked. Everyone was involved.” Wembanyama has missed six games this season, most recently with a sprained ankle. And the Spurs have been cautious with his minutes, playing him about 20 to 24 per game.
“Doctor’s orders,” coach Gregg Popovich said of why Wembanyama sat out against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
Sochan said that despite the high-scoring game, the Spurs won because they tightened defensively and made their free throws down the stretch.
“I feel we just locked in and became more aggressive,” he said. “I think those were the two things that helped us get back to a tight game and then take the lead.”
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