The past few seasons, the Sixers have made moves to overhaul their roster for their rebuild process. Two seasons ago, it was Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young and Spencer Hawes. Last season, it was Michael Carter-Williams and K.J. McDaniels. With the trade deadline approaching on February 18th, Sixers chairman of basketball operations offered a peek into the teams' approach this season. While there has been talk about how Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel co-existence on the court together hasn't gone well, that doesn't mean that the team plans to part ways with either of them, especially with Joel Embiid such a huge question mark moving forward. Here are some quotes from Colangelo at Sixers practice, courtesy of CSNPhilly.com's Jessica Camerato, along with some excerpts from an Elton Brand interview:
On the upcoming trade deadline…
“In terms of trade, we’re not actively out there looking to make a trade,” said Colangelo, who has been on the East Coast since last Thursday meeting with various members of the Sixers' front office. “But you always have to be open. Things happen usually right around All-Star break. There’s a week or 10 days when there’s a lot of discussion. It may lead to nothing, and I think right now we’re kind of content to say there are too many question marks about certain players, health, and so forth that you have to be very careful. You have to be very selective. Timing’s everything.”
On the Sixers recent improvements that led to a 4-10 record in January…
“It’s just more information,” Colangelo said of the Sixers’ improvements. “That’s all I would say at this point. It’s all helpful. If we still had one win, it would be a whole different story. It’s not the case. It was like before Ish and after Ish. You look at two seasons so far. I think after he came, just his presence made a major, major difference. So let’s ride it.”
There is the business side of the trade deadline. Each team is responsible to explore any and all options, even if none of them pan out.
“I think the core group is a little bit more stable than what you might’ve seen in the past,” Hinkie said. “At the same time, our job is to always look for ways to improve the team. So we’ve got to remain open-minded. No one likes a revolving door but at the same time, our job is to build a team that can compete deep into May and June. That will require lots of tough decisions, probably more to come.”
On Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel's strengths, weaknesses; Joel Embiid optimism
“For me it’s still too early to see how that plays out,” Colangelo said of Noel and Okafor. “Everyone is optimistic (about Embiid). But we still have to find out whether he can play, will he hold up. So right now, that’s a strength as we relate to the three bigs. But at some point, you have to make a decision on what to do, how to do it. If Nerlens could be a power forward that could be a different story. Right now, his natural position is he’s a center. He’s a rim protector. He is who he is.
“As you go forward and try to analyze this thing — what the best combination? Who complements one another? How do you surround the player? You look at Okafor, you look at what he can do and his deficiencies. How do you surround him to protect? You see how that all plays out. I’m interested to see how guys play now until the end of the season. People like to talk about here’s the trade deadline. That’s going to come and that’s going to go. We still have to play X number of games before the end of the season. That’s all part of the analysis in terms of what we do relative to the draft, free agency and other options at the end of the year.”
Elton Brand on his role with the Sixers…
“Practice-wise things have been pretty good,” Brand said. “With me, I’m not trying to take anything away from the development of the young guys. We need to get these young guys some looks and whenever they need me, I’m ready. I can play if need be.”
In other words, Brand doesn’t need to play.
“My ego [doesn’t need the attention],” Brand said. “But if there is a situation where I can help, yeah, I’d love the opportunity [to play]. Coach talked to me two weeks ago if it was OK to be active and I said, ‘Yes, if you need me, let me know.’ It’s more of that kind of case.”
“If they need me, I’m ready,” he said.
Brett Brown on Elton Brand's role with the team…
“My first reaction is no, he doesn’t need to get into a game to provide our team tremendous value,” coach Brett Brown said after Tuesday’s practice at PCOM. “He never needs to step onto an NBA court. He probably will and he’s been working and he’s been fantastic with his condition. The leadership he provides all over the place has nothing to do with 48 minutes. He’s wonderful to have around all over the place.”
“He’s great to talk to. Sharing information with Jahlil, he’s great,” Brown said. “And I think he’s in a place personally that he’s allowed himself to be great.”
The Sixers are back in action on Wednesday night against the Hawks at home. Tip-off is scheduled for 7PM.
