Sixers Host Indiana Tonight After Crazy Trade Deadline
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The 76ers will finally return from the NBA All-Star Break tonight as they welcome the Indiana Pacers to the Center.
However, the team that comes out of the break will look much different than the team that went into it.
That is because the 76ers made three moves yesterday prior to the NBA trade deadline, including one that sent second year point guard Michael Carter-Williams to the Milwaukee Bucks.
"The only way we'd ever move him is if somebody blew us away," Sixers GM Sam Hinkie told reporters at a Friday press conference. "So we'd rejected offer after offer over the last year or more. But something came along."
That something was the 2015 first-round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers, which is top-5 protected.
The Sixers also dealt rookie forward K.J. McDaniels to Houston in return for a second round pick and point guard Isaiah Canaan.
The third trade saw the 76ers acquire veteran big man JaVale McGee and a 2015 first round pick via Oklahoma City from Denver. They also picked up the rights to Chu Chu Maduabum, in exchange for the rights to Cenk Akyol.
The 76ers could have four first-round picks in the 2015 NBA Draft.
Hinkie says the moves are just the continuation of their building process.
"We're all focused on the same thing," Hinkie says. "How do we build something really special? How do we build something that can win at the highest level? Which is rare. It's rare in Philadelphia, it's rare around the NBA. How do you get all the way there? How do you have the fortitude not to take the shortcuts?"
KYW's Matt Leon spoke with LibertyBallers.com's Derek Bodner about all the 76ers deadline action and what to make of it.
Listen To Podcast With Derek Bodner:
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.