It’s not only the persistent James Harden controversy that comes up when people talk about the Philadelphia 76ers’ dismal offseason. It also discusses the front office’s wasted opportunities, whether it’s in re-signing dubious players or making a transaction when there are many better options available.
The 76ers’ decision to not re-sign Jalen McDaniels, who was acquired midway through the previous year and shown hints of his potential as a vital player for the team in the years that followed, was among their less encouraging summer moves. When they acquired him from the Hornets during the trade deadline, the front staff obviously saw more than just a rental, which surprised a lot of people.
Jalen McDaniels reveals how the 76ers lost him in free agency
The reason behind such omission was never explored, but McDaniels himself has finally broken his silence on how it came to be. In an exchange with Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the 25-year-old revealed that the reason behind his exit was rather simple — the 76ers simply offered too little to warrant a return to Philly.
What did the Sixers offer? “It was just like a minimum-type thing,” McDaniels said. “Yeah, I couldn’t do that, you know?
The 76ers didn’t have much spending power during free agency, but that they were only willing to extend the minimum is quite the brow-raiser. Sure, McDaniels as a key player was more of an “in theory” thing than an actual one due to the rather limited court time he saw last season, but his skillset should have easily prompted the front office to ameliorate their bid.
The older McDaniels may not be as lethal of a stopper as his younger brother in Minnesota, but at 6’9, he is a more than adequate stopper who can cover a lot of ground on the defensive end with his length and athleticism. His opportunistic offense is no slouch either, as he has had success on that end despite low usage on the floor. That archetype is undoubtedly one that the 76ers need right now and in the immediate future.
However, that window has already closed, and with so many choices available to them at forward, the Philadelphia 76ers are not backing down just yet. I’m hoping Jalen McDaniels joins the Toronto Raptors in a more consistent role that will allow him to show off and reach his full potential.
