Welcome Zhaire Smith

[ProcessDoctor]

Yea...I still hate the draft day trade. I don't see the appeal with Zhaire. Hopefully, the Miami pick will turn out to be extremely valuable.

[Wilfried]

Yea...I still hate the draft day trade. I don't see the appeal with Zhaire. Hopefully, the Miami pick will turn out to be extremely valuable.

What has Mikal Bridges been doing up til now that makes you feel this way?

That Miami pick is going to be pretty interesting I feel. Don't think Bridges will ever live up to that value, but we'll see.
And we'll see about Zhaire Smith when he plays.

[LloydFree]

Yea...I still hate the draft day trade. I don't see the appeal with Zhaire. Hopefully, the Miami pick will turn out to be extremely valuable.

What has Mikal Bridges been doing up til now that makes you feel this way?

That Miami pick is going to be pretty interesting I feel. Don't think Bridges will ever live up to that value, but we'll see.
And we'll see about Zhaire Smith when he plays.

Absolutely nothing. I've never seen so much hand wringing over such an insignificant player.

[TTP]

Yea...I still hate the draft day trade. I don't see the appeal with Zhaire. Hopefully, the Miami pick will turn out to be extremely valuable.

What has Mikal Bridges been doing up til now that makes you feel this way?

That Miami pick is going to be pretty interesting I feel. Don't think Bridges will ever live up to that value, but we'll see.
And we'll see about Zhaire Smith when he plays.

Absolutely nothing. I've never seen so much hand wringing over such an insignificant player.

Better to wring hands over someone insignificant than over someone significantly terrible like you do with Josh Jackson.

Regardless, prior to yesterday's game, Bridges had the best on/off in the NBA. Not sure if he's still #1 but he's now at a ridiculous +19.3. He's clearly been an impactful player.

[ProcessDoctor]

Yea...I still hate the draft day trade. I don't see the appeal with Zhaire. Hopefully, the Miami pick will turn out to be extremely valuable.

What has Mikal Bridges been doing up til now that makes you feel this way?

That Miami pick is going to be pretty interesting I feel. Don't think Bridges will ever live up to that value, but we'll see.
And we'll see about Zhaire Smith when he plays.

Absolutely nothing. I've never seen so much hand wringing over such an insignificant player.

He's been very impactful for a rookie any way you look at it. RPM, BPM, and on/off are very good. Granted, he's an older rookie at 22, so not sure how high his ceiling is. His 3&D skillset is definitely something we could, especially on a rookie contract.

[LloydFree]

What has Mikal Bridges been doing up til now that makes you feel this way?

That Miami pick is going to be pretty interesting I feel. Don't think Bridges will ever live up to that value, but we'll see.
And we'll see about Zhaire Smith when he plays.

Absolutely nothing. I've never seen so much hand wringing over such an insignificant player.

He's been very impactful for a rookie any way you look at it. RPM, BPM, and on/off are very good. Granted, he's an older rookie at 22, so not sure how high his ceiling is. His 3&D skillset is definitely something we could, especially on a rookie contract.

Exactly. He's a 22 year old rookie, who's upside is as a competent 3-D wing. That is nothing to dream or worry about regarding a draft day trade. If he didn't go to Villanova, he would never be a blip on a radar for 76ers fans.

[nrok10307]

I'm also pretty unsure about whether Zhaire has more upside than Mikal. Where is the upside coming from? Zhaire is way more athletic but I think people overrate athleticism, especially when it's unlikely Zhaire is going to have the handle to do a lot with it on offense. I'm pretty sure wingspan correlates a lot more with good defense than athleticism. He'll probably be a better transition finisher and he'll probably be a better point of attack defender, but Mikal is bigger and has a much longer wingspan while also being a great on-ball defender himself. It seems more likely that Mikal will be able to defend a wider range of positions well than Zhaire, and Mikal is pretty clearly a much better shooter. I don't expect either to be great at getting their own shot, but Mikal is probably better at it than Zhaire.

I have no idea who Zhaire's ceiling is for a player comp because he's a really unique player but I think there's a very real possibility that Mikal turns into some kind of Middleton/Covington hybrid, which is a top 25 player in the NBA.

My view was that Zhaire has the floor of a Tony Allen - versatile defender who can finish in transition and hit some 3s. However, he is super young and super athletic and his shot mechanics look decent... so he has a good chance of becoming an elite 3&D plus more (Otto Potter +) who can guard 1-3. At 6'4 and 6'10 wingspan, he has similar measurements to Dwayne Wade

Mikal is older so his ceiling seems lower as a spot up 3&D only (Roco). Handles are average and unlikely to get better. Not athletic, unlikely to really bulk up. etc -- I see Mikal only covering 2s and 3s (not fast enough for 1s, not big enough for 4s). Low chance of busting though.

I think its hard to compare right now: Zhaire obviously having an injury doesnt help, but Mikal was always billed as a ready now piece given that he is older and was in a more structured system at Nova. I thought Zhaire played center in high school - so he's a late bloomer that is still learning what he can do.

I'm torn on Zhaire. I didn't like Mikal that early in the draft - to me i dont want to spend a lottery pick on a prospect that will 90% be a 3&D role player. Zhaire seems like a smart gamble --- is floor is pretty high given that he has a true NBA skill in defending/athleticism, low chance of busting, and enough interesting traits that gives him upside. I guess Brett got his guy and an extra pick, so whatevers.

I like that he is cheap, locked in for 4 years, and has no expectations on him --- we can let him develop with no pressure and hope he has a Kwahi-like leap.

So Mikal Bridges has a low ceiling because he's older and billed as a role playing "3&D" player.

But Zhaire has a safe floor because he's similar to Tony Allen (who can't shoot) but has upside because he's young and could become an elite "3&D" player if he learns how to shoot (something Bridges does already)?

I like Zhaire and am not going to beat this up....but he has a much higher bust chance compared to Bridges. Bridges has NBA size+length for a wing and a jump shot out to the 3 point line. Those are coveted NBA skills and EXACTLY what this team needs now. We pretty much need Zhaire to develop Bridges' skillset to provide what we really need.

Hey I'm not a Zhaire stan, so I'm not going to live or die on this hill either.

But Zhaire was insanely productive as a freshman in a top conference playing lots of minutes despite being a center in HS - and he was even better on the defensive side than the offensive side. Plus he has ridiculous athleticism, wingspan, and motor. Those are pretty safe bets on players that don't bust in the NBA.

[ProcessDoctor]

Absolutely nothing. I've never seen so much hand wringing over such an insignificant player.

He's been very impactful for a rookie any way you look at it. RPM, BPM, and on/off are very good. Granted, he's an older rookie at 22, so not sure how high his ceiling is. His 3&D skillset is definitely something we could, especially on a rookie contract.

Exactly. He's a 22 year old rookie, who's upside is as a competent 3-D wing. That is nothing to dream or worry about regarding a draft day trade. If he didn't go to Villanova, he would never be a blip on a radar for 76ers fans.

My concern is that Zhaire won't even be that when he's 22. He's "skill-less" if there's such a thing.

I don't think anyone is saying we missed out on a star. Rather, we are missing someone who's skillset fills a real need for this team, especially now that Cov is gone.

[LloydFree]

He's been very impactful for a rookie any way you look at it. RPM, BPM, and on/off are very good. Granted, he's an older rookie at 22, so not sure how high his ceiling is. His 3&D skillset is definitely something we could, especially on a rookie contract.

Exactly. He's a 22 year old rookie, who's upside is as a competent 3-D wing. That is nothing to dream or worry about regarding a draft day trade. If he didn't go to Villanova, he would never be a blip on a radar for 76ers fans.

My concern is that Zhaire won't even be that when he's 22. He's "skill-less" if there's such a thing.

I don't think anyone is saying we missed out on a star. Rather, we are missing someone who's skillset fills a real need for this team, especially now that Cov is gone.

I don't understand why not. Zhaire Smith was a signicantly better player at 18-19 years old than Mikal Bridges was at 19. I don't know why he can't be as good as Bridges as a 22 year old.

[ProcessDoctor]

Exactly. He's a 22 year old rookie, who's upside is as a competent 3-D wing. That is nothing to dream or worry about regarding a draft day trade. If he didn't go to Villanova, he would never be a blip on a radar for 76ers fans.

My concern is that Zhaire won't even be that when he's 22. He's "skill-less" if there's such a thing.

I don't think anyone is saying we missed out on a star. Rather, we are missing someone who's skillset fills a real need for this team, especially now that Cov is gone.

I don't understand why not. Zhaire Smith was a signicantly better player at 18-19 years old than Mikal Bridges was at 19. I don't know why he can't be as good as Bridges as a 22 year old.

Hopefully I'm wrong. I'm probably lower on Zhaire than most tbh.

[Sixerscan]

My concern is that Zhaire won't even be that when he's 22. He's "skill-less" if there's such a thing.

I don't think anyone is saying we missed out on a star. Rather, we are missing someone who's skillset fills a real need for this team, especially now that Cov is gone.

I don't understand why not. Zhaire Smith was a signicantly better player at 18-19 years old than Mikal Bridges was at 19. I don't know why he can't be as good as Bridges as a 22 year old.

Hopefully I'm wrong. I'm probably lower on Zhaire than most tbh.

I mean we literally know the Sixers were lower on Zhaire than Bridges.

The pick is a potential trump card in a trade though. If Boston gets all of their picks this year, then when next season rolls around we are the only contender with an unprotected future pick in our back pocket.

Is there downside with both the pick and Zhaire? sure! But that’s part of the trade off.

[gdog2004]

the problem with Zhaire or at least the perceived problem is that he hasnt played and no one really knows when he will. Plus he is too small to guard forwards and hasnt shown the skillset to be a guard. Yet. It is the unknown.

[XDevilBoiX]

Do you guys think the Sixers would’ve kept Mikal if they knew they were trading Covington for Butler?

I think they were targeting Kawhi and thought Zhaire/Miami 1st would be part of it. Looking back I doubt they do that deal, bringing in Butler means win now and Mikal would help now. Zhaire is a project that probably wouldn’t contribute until 2-3 years down the line and they just lost 1 year because of this injury.

[PhilasFinest]

Do you guys think the Sixers would’ve kept Mikal if they knew they were trading Covington for Butler?

I think they were targeting Kawhi and thought Zhaire/Miami 1st would be part of it. Looking back I doubt they do that deal, bringing in Butler means win now and Mikal would help now. Zhaire is a project that probably wouldn’t contribute until 2-3 years down the line and they just lost 1 year because of this injury.

Yes I do.

We needed shooting and/or athleticism on the perimeter during the draft. Zhaire's bounce probably appealed to them as a potential athletic slasher that you could use to attack the basket at times and his developing shot wasn't as big a deal because he was likely going to be sandwiched in between some combination of JJ Roco and Saric.

Now that Butlers here, he fills that athletic, slashing, attacking void on the perimeter and the shooting that we once had, is gone.
Not the end of the world, and if Zhaire were healthy I'm sure the conversation could be totally different....but Id like to think they would prefer a ready made, perimeter shooting/defending player right now over Smith if they had a choice.

Like many had said though....That Miami pick could end up being a really nice piece for a contending team to add a cheap player to the fold or use as a trade chip, on top of Zhaire still having plenty of upside once he gets healthy.

[PhilasFinest]

the problem with Zhaire or at least the perceived problem is that he hasnt played and no one really knows when he will. Plus he is too small to guard forwards and hasnt shown the skillset to be a guard. Yet. It is the unknown.

Bingo.

its very easy to look back in hindsight w/ buyers remorse when your watching players actually play for other teams.....while were left in the dark wondering what if.

Injuries suck, and we certainly could use the depth right now....but we should be numb to it by now. Just gotta hope he gets back and can help us down the line.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Do you guys think the Sixers would’ve kept Mikal if they knew they were trading Covington for Butler?

I think they were targeting Kawhi and thought Zhaire/Miami 1st would be part of it. Looking back I doubt they do that deal, bringing in Butler means win now and Mikal would help now. Zhaire is a project that probably wouldn’t contribute until 2-3 years down the line and they just lost 1 year because of this injury.

They should have kept him, he was the perfect fit for them in terms of what they need and the direction the league is moving, especially when you look at how many wing players the Raptors have.


Zhaire is a big project that needs multiple offseasons and a lot of playing time to find his game, he's really a 6'4" power forward in terms of his current skillset. They went with the idea of age + development could turn him into a player similar to Avery Bradley, but even then someone with Mikal's size and length is just a lot more valuable than 3 & D guard.


Also, now that Saric is gone they could have taken Miles Bridges, since it looks like they will need a replacement at PF since Wilson Chandler is clearly washed up.

[ivysixer2000]

Do you guys think the Sixers would’ve kept Mikal if they knew they were trading Covington for Butler?

I think they were targeting Kawhi and thought Zhaire/Miami 1st would be part of it. Looking back I doubt they do that deal, bringing in Butler means win now and Mikal would help now. Zhaire is a project that probably wouldn’t contribute until 2-3 years down the line and they just lost 1 year because of this injury.

They should have kept him, he was the perfect fit for them in terms of what they need and the direction the league is moving, especially when you look at how many wing players the Raptors have.


Zhaire is a big project that needs multiple offseasons and a lot of playing time to find his game, he's really a 6'4" power forward in terms of his current skillset. They went with the idea of age + development could turn him into a player similar to Avery Bradley, but even then someone with Mikal's size and length is just a lot more valuable than 3 & D guard.


Also, now that Saric is gone they could have taken Miles Bridges, since it looks like they will need a replacement at PF since Wilson Chandler is clearly washed up.

Hearing his name makes me puke in my mouth a little.

[PhilasFinest]

Do you guys think the Sixers would’ve kept Mikal if they knew they were trading Covington for Butler?

I think they were targeting Kawhi and thought Zhaire/Miami 1st would be part of it. Looking back I doubt they do that deal, bringing in Butler means win now and Mikal would help now. Zhaire is a project that probably wouldn’t contribute until 2-3 years down the line and they just lost 1 year because of this injury.

They should have kept him, he was the perfect fit for them in terms of what they need and the direction the league is moving, especially when you look at how many wing players the Raptors have.


Zhaire is a big project that needs multiple offseasons and a lot of playing time to find his game, he's really a 6'4" power forward in terms of his current skillset. They went with the idea of age + development could turn him into a player similar to Avery Bradley, but even then someone with Mikal's size and length is just a lot more valuable than 3 & D guard.


Also, now that Saric is gone they could have taken Miles Bridges, since it looks like they will need a replacement at PF since Wilson Chandler is clearly washed up.

I hear you, but your looking at this in complete hindsight.

They had Saric + Covington at the time of the draft. They didn't know that they would be trading both of them.

[Arsenal]

If we knew we were shopping RoCo around in a package for a star, which I believe we did, then we should have kept Mikal Bridges. He's the exact prototype to replace RoCo.

Imagine this:

PG Redick
SG Butler
SF Bridges
PF Simmons
CE Embiid

We would be set. Bridges is as advertised. Right out of the gate a very good 3&D player. I see Klay Thompson type of upside, with lesser shooting volume, but better defense. There's a reason every damn team in the league is starving for these types of players.

[PhilasFinest]

If we knew we were shopping RoCo around in a package for a star, which I believe we did, then we should have kept Mikal Bridges. He's the exact prototype to replace RoCo.

Imagine this:

PG Redick
SG Butler
SF Bridges
PF Simmons
CE Embiid

We would be set. Bridges is as advertised. Right out of the gate a very good 3&D player. I see Klay Thompson type of upside, with lesser shooting volume, but better defense. There's a reason every damn team in the league is starving for these types of players.

And if they knew they were trying to trade for a star, they likely figured having that Miami 1st could be a huge trade chip to throw into the pot on top of things.

Oh and a better defending Klay Thompson is a max contract player. I do not see that in Bridges.