By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly Staff
According to David Pick of Bleacher Report, Furkan Korkmaz is heading to Philadelphia presumably to meet with Sixers' management:
Source: Furkan Korkmaz is traveling to Philadelphia. He wants NBA, but Sixers could re-stash him at Anadolu Efes. Has $2M out.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) June 4, 2017
Korkmaz was selected 26th overall by the Sixers in the 2016 draft. Korkmaz is a draft-and-stash prospect currently playing for Banvit in the Tuskish Basketball Super League. Prior to being transferred to Banvit, Korkmaz played alongside Sixers' power forward Dario Saric with Anadolu Efes.
Korkmaz stands 6'7'' with a thin frame and profiles as a shooting wing. He is listed as a shooting guard.
Korkmaz shot 48.8% from three-point range and won the Best Young Player award in the Basketball Champions League this past season. The 19-year-old has expressed interest in coming to the NBA for the 2017-18 season:
#Sixers 2016 draft pick Furkan Korkmaz wants to play in the NBA, but will it happen next season?
(@JCameratoCSN) https://t.co/fViOsxG1qy
— CSN Philly (@CSNPhilly) May 18, 2017
The reason for Korkmaz's visit has not been revealed, but it is likely that he will discuss his options for next season during the visit.
Korkmaz has a buy out option, but NBA teams can only contribute $650,000 to a buyout while the player is responsible for coordinating the payment for any amount exceeding that figure.
This will be a hurdle to overcome if the Sixers do decide that they want Korkmaz with the Sixers next season.
It is not by any means a foregone conclusion that the Sixers intend on bringing Korkmaz over this season. Although Korkmaz has displayed an advanced ability to shoot from the perimeter, he still has developing to do.
Korkmaz has been cast as a one-dimensional spot up shooter in Europe, and he has to develop into a more well-rounded players as well as get stronger to make himself into a more appealing prospect.
The Sixers do have a need for a high-percentage perimeter shooter, the question is whether the team views Korkmaz as the best person to fill that role in 2017.