Several NBA teams are in the process of rebuilding their roster and the Philadelphia 76ers made changes to theirs by acquiring a particular G League player. The partnership between James Harden and Joel Embiid has allowed the Sixers to become one of the top-contending teams in the Eastern Conference rankings. Only lacking behind the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks, the Sixers are the No. 3 seed with 37 wins out of the 56 games played. As per the latest reports, the Sixers’ new addition had previously played for LeBron James‘ Lakers, who have made some significant changes in the roster around James and Anthony Davis within the February 9 trade deadline.
After acquiring Rui Hachimura in exchange for Kendrick Nunn, the Lakers changed almost the entire roster when they traded Russell Westbrook, Thomas Bryant, and Patrick Beverley. In turn, they acquired D’Angelo Russell, Mo Bamba, Malik Beasley, Davon Reed, and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Sixers sign LeBron James’ former teammate
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Days after the February 9 deadline, Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed that the Philadelphia 76ers have signed a two-way contract with NBA G League’s Mac McClung. After going undrafted in 2021, the Delaware Blue Coats guard played for the Chicago Bulls for a month. He then went on to sign a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. McClung played no more than one NBA game each with the Bulls and the Lakers.
76ers are waiving Julian Champagnie to sign McClung, sources said. https://t.co/Z7VWgscGMW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 14, 2023
He then went on to join the Golden State Warriors’ summer squad before finally signing the contract with the Sixers. McClung is also set to become the first player from the G League to take part in the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He is currently averaging 17.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.6 rebounds.
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With the decision to sign McClung, the 76ers have waived 21-year-old Julian Champagnie. The 21-year-old star had signed a two-way contract with the team on June 24, 2022.
The Sixers’ four-team trade
On February 9, it was announced that the Philadelphia 76ers had taken part in a four-team deal. The teams involved were the Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, and the Portland Trail Blazers. In the significant deal, the Sixers acquired Jalen McDaniels and two future second-round picks. In turn, the Trail Blazers acquired Matisse Thybulle, and the Hornets received a 2023 second-round pick from the Sixers.
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The former Hornets forward entered the league through the 2019 NBA Draft as the 52nd overall pick. After getting selected by the Hornets, he went on to play for the G League’s Greensboro Swarm. He is currently averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.