Morning Phil-Up: Sixers Willing To Trade Joel Embiid?

Sixers Willing To Trade Joel Embiid? – Philly.com

According to a report by Forbes.com, during the trade deadline the Sixers had expressed a willingness to talk about any player on their roster, including Joel Embiid.

The idea that the team was willing to listen to offers shouldn’t be a shock. Hinkie has shown he’s not afraid to trade the biggest names on his roster, having already parted ways with both Jrue Holiday and Michael Carter-Williams in his first two seasons with the team. To think that there are any untouchables at this point would be ignoring Hinkie’s history and plan.

Hinkie sells off players at the height of their value, and if the team didn’t like the progress that Embiid had been making in his rehab, it may actually be a wise idea to try to pull in a big haul for him now before it becomes apparent that the injury-prone big man won’t live up to the hype.

However, nothing on the trade front developed for Embiid, and I have to believe that the team fully intends to try to build around him. Listening to offers is one thing, actively shopping a player would be a completely different story.

In the case of Embiid, if the Sixers were to move him, they would have to have their eyes on obtaining Jahlil Okafor in next year’s draft.

Sixers Claim Thomas Robinson – CSNPhilly

The Sixers made an interesting move on Tuesday afternoon, claiming forward Thomas Robinson off of waivers from the Denver Nuggets.

Robinson just a few years ago was a high lottery pick, originally the fifth overall pick in the draft by the Sacramento Kings. He’s failed to establish himself, bouncing around four other NBA franchises in the just three years.

However, he remains a very talented (and very young) power forward who could very well be worth a gamble. He does however join a Sixer frontcourt that just continues to add names and bodies to their mix.

Along with Nerlens Noel and Robert Covington, the Sixers also have Henry Sims and JaVale McGee vying for playing time.

Sixers First, Phillies Last In Analytics Rankings – The 700 Level

Analytics is becoming a more popular trend across franchises in all sports, as teams search for any way to keep themselves a step ahead of their competition.

ESPN took a look at how different franchises are successfully incorporating analytics into their strategy, and found Philadelphia teams at the top and bottom of each list.

The 76ers are at the top of the list, which should surprise few. Sam Hinkie has followed the analytics philosophy by the book, with his recent trades of Michael Carter-Williams and K.J. McDaniels headlining his commitment to that plan. Throughout his tenure, Hinkie has acquired players and picks and flipped them for greater picks in order to give himself a great deal of assets to use however he chooses. The team has had two first-round picks in each of Hinkie’s first two drafts, and could potentially have four first-rounders next year.

The Philadelphia Phillies however, are dead last in analytics. And this news should also surprise no one. The Phillies have shown that they don’t know how to stockpile assets, they don’t know when to part ways with a player, and they also have been guilty of handing out some terrible contracts.

Two Free-Agent Targets For The Eagles – Bleeding Green Nation

Free agency is rapidly approaching for the Eagles, and while many fans are salivating at the idea of adding big names like Byron Maxwell, there are some guys flying under the radar that the Birds could target.

Two players that have come up are Chiefs’ defensive back Ron Parker and Chargers’ linebacker Andrew Gachkar.

Parker is a 27-year old that can play both safety and corner, and was also a contributor on special teams for Kansas City. The Eagles love guys who can factor in on special teams, after putting a priority on improving their unit last year it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make similar moves this season as well.

Gachkar is a reserve linebacker with the Chargers who has received limited playing time in his career. He has yet to have a starting opportunity in his time in the league.