Because the Sixers proceed their uncommon four-day December layoff in the course of a three-game-in-13-day stretch, now looks like a greater time than ever to test in with previous buddies. How are these current former Sixers doing of their new houses?
James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers
Harden continues to hold such a heavy workload for the Clippers that it has each earned him widespread reward nationally and known as into query the sustainability of the present deal. In 33.9 minutes per recreation, Harden is averaging 21.6 factors, 8.5 assists, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals per recreation. With Kawhi Leonard nonetheless on the sidelines and Paul George now in Philadelphia, Harden has been on the heart of the whole lot Clippers head coach Ty Lue has deliberate.
Even with Harden’s effectivity on the courtroom within the tank — his 37.9 completion share is undesirable — he posts a 55.6 true taking pictures share, near league common, as he nonetheless will get to the free throw line at will and connects when he is there. Winners of 14 of their first 25 video games, the Clippers have far exceeded expectations for a Leonard-less model of their crew. Gamers like Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac deserve credit score for serving to hold issues afloat, however Harden has proven that even at 35 years previous and with diminished athleticism, he can nonetheless elevate the extent of a crew. considerably.
Nic Batum, Los Angeles Clippers
Batum, who known as his determination to return to the Clippers this summer season regardless of the Sixers’ important curiosity in a reunion as “nothing in opposition to the Sixers,” has settled into a job match for Lue and the Clippers. He would not accumulate a number of counting stats to inform in 18.0 minutes per recreation, as anticipated. His 35.9 three-point share is a bit decrease than his common marks in recent times, nevertheless, and with simply 0.9 steals per 100 possessions, Batum has been much less succesful as a defensive playmaker in a small pattern measurement. .
But Batum’s worth nonetheless stems from issues that may’t be quantified: his capability to at all times be in the proper place on each ends of the courtroom and keep away from errors, the delicate features of his recreation which have endeared him to Sixers head coach Nick Nurse and his excellence as a connector.
Even after leaving Philadelphia, Batum supplied appreciable assist to the Sixers. That got here within the type of a glowing overview geared toward 28-year-old free agent Guerschon Yabusele, who advised PhillyVoice in November that Batum was enthusiastic about Philadelphia and that the Sixers performed a job in his determination to hitch the Sixers. Yabusele, who signed a veteran minimal contract with the Sixers, appears to be like like one of many steals of the summer season as a high quality two-way rotation participant at a number of positions.
“I’m pleased for him,” Batum mentioned final month. “He deserved it. He deserved a second likelihood on this league. He is exhibiting it now: he belongs on this league.”
MORE: Batum and Yabusele speak about particular bond: ‘He deserved an opportunity to return to the league’
De’Anthony Melton, Golden State Warriors
Melton, a locker room favourite throughout his two years with the Sixers, merely cannot catch a break. Important again points derailed the tip of his time with the Sixers, hurting his free agent market considerably after he finally agreed to a four-year deal nicely under market worth. Melton needed to accept a one-year deal value $12.8 million with Golden State, however the contract had upsides: the Warriors had been an apparent and formidable selection for Melton on the courtroom, and gave him the chance to play significant minutes on a crew within the nationwide highlight, then go get a big multi-year deal the next summer season.
Melton performed nicely in his first six video games of the yr, averaging 10.3 factors per recreation and taking pictures 37.1 % from three-point vary on 5.8 three-point makes an attempt per recreation. Melton labored his manner into the beginning backcourt alongside Stephen Curry. After which catastrophe struck: an ACL harm that required season-ending surgical procedure.
Not solely did the harm rob Melton of any likelihood to rebuild his worth within the league, nevertheless it might really forestall a potential return to Golden State. In keeping with a number of experiences, the Warriors are actually anticipated to try to make use of Melton’s expiring contract to facilitate a commerce for a participant who might assist them win video games this yr. Such a transfer would value them the rights to Melton’s Chicken, which might worth their most critical suitor out of the market.
My pal Hield, Warriors of the Golden State
Hield was by no means going to carry out for a complete season on the absurd stage he reached within the first weeks of 2024-25, however the veteran sharpshooter continues to be one of the vital critical contenders for the sixth man award of the yr of this yr. Whereas Boston’s Payton Pritchard is clearly forward of the pack proper now, Hield’s 27 factors and 7 made it three in a giant win Sunday in opposition to Minnesota. Timberwolves was an efficient manner out of a disaster. After averaging 21.9 factors per recreation in his first seven appearances of the season, Hield has averaged 11.5 factors per recreation in 17 video games since.
Nonetheless, Hield has stable numbers up to now this yr: 14.5 factors per recreation whereas averaging 23.9 minutes in a deep Golden State rotation, in addition to a 42.6 three-point share from 7 .6 long-range makes an attempt per recreation.
As a way to facilitate Hield’s departure to Golden State on a three-year contract, the Sixers obtained the rights to the Dallas Mavericks’ 2031 second-round choose. Had the sign-and-trade chance not materialized , the Sixers would have been pressured to surrender Hield and see him go away in free company for nothing; retaining the rights to Hield’s Chicken whereas signing George was not potential.
MORE: Sixers ties: Pacific Division
Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons
Harris’ minutes per recreation in Detroit (32.5) are simply shy of his common common throughout his time with the Sixers. He joined a younger Pistons crew that seemingly wanted a gentle scorer to assist its offense mature. But Harris is averaging simply 14.1 factors per recreation, fewer than ever as a Sixer. Harris’ relative struggles past the arc performed a serious position right here – Harris’ three-point share of 34.3 can be his worst season clip since 2015-16 – however his incapability to extend his offensive position in the identical manner that the Sixers performed a serious position. typically expressed that he was able to doing so.
Nonetheless, Detroit has most likely exceeded expectations with 10 wins in its first 25 video games (a 10-15 document would not appear that spectacular till you keep in mind that they went 14-68 final season ). Harris’ general ability actually helped the Pistons to some extent, however most likely not sufficient to justify the two-year, $52 million contract he was given in July. Detroit had an enormous quantity of cap area out there, so perhaps they will not really burn them.
“For me, it was an important expertise,” Harris mentioned of his lengthy tenure with the Sixers upon his return to Philadelphia in October. “I can truthfully say that as a result of it has helped me develop in many alternative parts of my life.”
MORE: Harris and Paul Reed mirror on Sixers mandates
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