Patrick Causey, on Twitter @PhillySportsJD
The Philadelphia 76ers made two moves yesterday, signing one player and trading for another plus draft compensation.
First, the Sixers signed their second round pick, Richaun Holmes, to a contract.
Holmes played for the Sixers in the 2015 Utah Jazz Summer League, averaging 10 points and 5 rebounds in 17 minutes per game.
The 21 year-old power forward ended the summer league with a fractured elbow that was initially thought to require surgery, which would cause him to miss 6-8 weeks of time.
However, after further evaluation, the team determined that Holmes would not require surgery, and he is expected to be a full participant in training camp.
The details of his deal were initially unclear, but have since been confirmed by Jake Fischer of LibertyBallers.com:
Richaun Holmes' deal with Sixers is a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth. The first two years are guaranteed for $2.1 million.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 30, 2015
Holmes was a standout at Bowling Green, leaving as the school's all-time leader in blocks, while shooting 55% for his career. He was the first player in school history to score 1,000 points, grab 600 rebounds, and 200 blocks. In his senior year, Holmes was named the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year and All-MAC First Team.
The Sixers also traded Jason Thompson to the Golden State Warriors for Gerald Wallace and draft considerations.
According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, if the Golden State Warriors first round pick is better than either the Miami Heat or Oklahoma City Thunder pick owned by the Sixers, the Sixers have the right to swap picks. While all three teams project to be playoff bound next year, it gives the Sixers another opportunity to get a higher first round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
This is the second time that both Thompson and Wallace were traded this offseason. Wallace was part of the David Lee trade between the Warriors and Celtics, while the Sixers just acquired Thompson from the Sacramento Kings in the same deal in which they acquired Nik Stauskas.
Thompson grew up a 76ers fan and was excited to play for his hometown team. However, it seems that he isn't losing sleep over being traded to the defending NBA champion:
Im Goin Goin, Back Back, To CALI CALI!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Jason Thompson (@jtthekid) August 1, 2015
It's unclear whether the Sixers will keep Gerald Wallace. The 33-year old forward averaged a career low 1.1 points and 1.8 rebounds in 8.9 minutes last year. He is in the final year of his contract, and is owed $10.1 million. Odds are the Sixers will buy Wallace out, making the 15 year veteran a free agent.
