Latest news with #Sixer
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers And Warriors Could Emerge As Potential Destinations For Defensive Specialist
As NBA free agency approaches, two of the league's most storied franchises, the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are reportedly circling one of the league's most underrated defensive specialists: De'Anthony Melton. Both teams are expected to undergo significant roster reshaping this offseason, and Melton's name has quietly emerged as a low-cost, high-upside option. Advertisement According to The Athletic's Anthony Slater, the Warriors have identified Melton as a potential target. Meanwhile, Lakers insider Jovan Buha has echoed similar interest from the purple and gold, suggesting both franchises are weighing the former Sixer as a possible backcourt addition. Melton, just 26, fits the mold of a buy-low candidate with proven two-way value. His 2024-25 season was marred by a torn ACL after playing just six games, during which he averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals on efficient shooting splits 40.7% from the field and a strong 37.1% from three. Following his injury, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets but didn't log a single minute with them. Though durability concerns linger, Melton's track record before his injury paints a clearer picture. He was a vital piece on the Memphis Grizzlies during their rise and later flourished with the Philadelphia 76ers, carving out a niche as a perimeter pest who could guard both guard spots, knock down open threes, and contribute as a secondary playmaker. Advertisement His defensive versatility is his calling card. Melton routinely guarded the opposing team's best perimeter threat, and his quick hands and off-ball awareness made him a disruptive force. For teams like the Lakers and Warriors, both of whom struggled on the defensive end against quicker guards in the 2025 playoffs, adding a player like Melton is as much about fixing a structural weakness as it is about rounding out their rotations. Financially, Melton earned over $12 million last season but is expected to command a far smaller deal this time around due to his injury and lack of availability. League insiders suggest he may sign a short-term 'prove-it' deal one or two years in length, in hopes of rebuilding his market value before hitting free agency again in his late 20s. That could be ideal for contenders like the Lakers and Warriors. Both teams are capped out, but either could squeeze Melton into their plans using part of their mid-level exception or a veteran minimum deal with incentives. Advertisement For Golden State, he'd fit nicely alongside Stephen Curry and potentially replace some of the defensive energy lost in recent years. For the Lakers, Melton could slide into a crucial bench role or even start alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James, giving JJ Redick a much-needed perimeter stopper. With the market for elite defense at a premium, De'Anthony Melton could be one of the smartest signings of the summer. If he returns to form, both the Lakers and Warriors may look back on this as a quiet move that paid championship-level dividends. Related: NBA Rumors: 4 Veterans The Lakers Could Acquire This Offseason
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Sixers forward Tobias Harris helps Pistons beat Knicks in Game 5
Former Sixers forward Tobias Harris helps Pistons beat Knicks in Game 5 With the Philadelphia 76ers missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017, now is the time to check in on former Sixers who are making their mark on the postseason landscape in the NBA. Former Sixers forward Tobias Harris has been a big part of the turnaround with the Detroit Pistons and he produced again in Game 5 on Tuesday. With the Pistons facing elimination, Harris had 17 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks as Detroit escaped with a 106-103 win over the New York Knicks on the road. The Pistons will live for another day. While Harris had a big game for the Pistons, it was Cade Cunningham who led Detroit with 24 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists and Ausar Thompson had 22 points and seven rebounds. Another former Sixer, Paul Reed, had four steals off the bench. This series shifts back to Little Caesars Arena for Game 6 on Thursday where Harris will look to help the Pistons force Game 7 back in New York.
Miami Herald
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
In push for playoff positioning, Heat host injury-riddled 76ers
Two Eastern Conference counterparts, the Philadelphia 76ers and host Miami Heat, meet on Monday following tough losses for both teams. The Heat (35-43) dropped a 121-115 overtime decision at home on Saturday to Milwaukee in a game with postseason implications. Miami is locked into the play-in round, with only positioning between the East's seven through 10 seeds left to determine. The 10th-place Heat are three games behind the No. 7 Orlando Magic, who have the most favorable play-in spot ahead of the regular season's closing stretch. Atlanta is 1 1/2 games up on Miami for eighth place, with the Hawks in action on Sunday vs. Utah. In ninth, Chicago holds a one-game lead over the Heat following Sunday's win over the Charlotte Hornets. Miami's consecutive losses to Memphis and Milwaukee -- two opponents who have clinched playoff spots -- come on the heels of a six-game winning streak. "Bro, we've been on a 10-game losing streak," Bam Adebayo said of Miami's back-to-back defeats. "Two is not that bad. We all hate losing. Monday, everybody will come in with the same mentality, try to get a win." Philadelphia (23-55), long ago eliminated from postseason contention, takes a season-worst 11-game losing streak into Monday's contest. The 76ers dropped a 114-109 nailbiter to Minnesota at home on Saturday to continue their slide. Quentin Grimes hit four 3-pointers in the final 3:26, helping the Sixers pull within one possession of the Timberwolves twice down the stretch, but Philadelphia had no answer for Anthony Edwards. With his 28 points in the loss, Grimes has scored at least 22 points in 12 of 13 appearances dating back to March 9. The one exception came in Philadelphia's last meeting with Miami, a 118-95 Heat win in Philadelphia. Miami held Grimes to 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the floor. Tyler Herro paced the Heat in that matchup with 30 points and 5-of-9 3-point shooting. Miami's leading scorer this season (23.9 points per game), Herro missed Saturday's contest with a thigh injury amid a streak of 20-plus points in his previous seven outings. "We have a very deep team and everybody can step up when they need to," said Miami's Alec Burks, who scored 24 points on Saturday. "Just stay ready. Be a professional, stay ready. I learned it over my career. "You never know what's going to happen game to game." Roster flux has been the story for Philadelphia throughout the 2024-25 season, with stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George all currently sidelined for the remainder of an injury-plagued campaign. The holes in the Sixers' lineup have created opportunities for other players to step up. Grimes has been one such Sixer, and Guerschon Yabusele has been another in recent weeks. "What he's doing now" would be a strong end to the season, Sixers coach Nick Nurse said of Yabusele. "He's playing hard. He's got the right kind of attitude." The journeyman forward has scored 19, 22 and 21 points in three of Philadelphia's last four contests. After spending the previous four seasons with Spanish club Real Madrid, Yabusele returned to the NBA this year with the Sixers and has averaged 11 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in 70 games played. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 biggest takeaways for Sixers following latest road loss to Knicks
NEW YORK -- The Philadelphia 76ers were unable to snap their losing streak as it reached nine on Tuesday with a 105-91 loss to the New York Knicks. The Sixers had a big third quarter to charge back into the game, but the Knicks eventually put them away in this one. The Knicks knocked down 12 triples compared to just six for Philadelphia and got 20 points off the bench from former Sixer Landry Shamet who knocked down six triples of his own. OG Anunoby had 27 as well for New York. Advertisement Quentin Grimes had 26 points and five assists for the Sixers, Adem Bona had nine points and eight rebounds, and Lonnie Walker IV had 11 and seven rebounds with four assists. Ricky Council IV added 15 points while Alex Reese had 10 and Marcus Bagley had nine and eight boards. Here are the three biggest takeaways following the loss: Grimes' point guard minutes Apr 1, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) dribbles the ball as New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) defends during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images Coach Nick Nurse has said recently that he wants to see Grimes at the point guard spot and see him handle the ball a bit more. He got the start at the point against the Knicks and it was a mixed bag. He did have five assists, but he had three turnovers and he wasn't his usual aggressive self as he looked to get teammates involved. Nurse started Jared Butler at the point guard spot in the second half and moved Grimes off the ball to get him going on the offensive end. Obviously, those point guard minutes will be a work in progress. Advertisement "I just, again, I thought we were starting kind of our best available guys," Nurse said after the loss. "I wanted to play Q some on the ball. I just didn't love it in this game. I just wanted to get a different look and get him off the ball some and try to get him going, which ended up being pretty good. We had a really good third quarter, a little better lineup, a little bit better ball-handling there for a while. It's a big factor in the game. We turned the ball over a lot." Young guys getting reps Apr 1, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (19) drives to the basket while being defended by New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images The Sixers are, obviously, not having the season anybody expected when the 2024-25 season began back in October. This was a team that was expected to contend for a championship, but instead, they have flopped due to a number of issues such as injuries and players underperforming. With that being said, these last handful of games are going to be important for guys like Justin Edwards, Walker, Council, Grimes, and others to get the all-important reps needed to grow as players in this league. Advertisement "The repetition is the one thing you said that can help these younger guys," said veteran Kyle Lowry. "Just the experience, and at the end of the day, these guys aren't just playing for one team. They're auditioning for 29 other teams including our organization. So it gives them a chance to be seen, get better as basketball players, get better as professionals. It's just great for these guys to have this opportunity. Unfortunately, we're not winning games, but they're working hard, and hopefully it translates in the next couple." Walker the playmaker Apr 1, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Lonnie Walker IV (16) makes a move against New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images Speaking of those reps, it is important for the Sixers to get a guy like Walker going as a playmaker. The Sixers already know that he can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket, but if they can unlock the playmaking part of his game, then he is going to be a much more well-rounded player for Philadelphia as it decides who will be on the team in 2025-26 when the Sixers are a much healthier group. Advertisement "Yeah, for sure," Walker said. "I mean, I probably should have had a little bit more assists today as well, but I've definitely been growing in that aspect. Just making the game simple, manipulating the game. The more passing you get, the easier it is to score because they're worried about your passing and things of that nature. So I'm just trying to make it as simple as possible for myself and for my teammates. Bona be at the right places. I had a couple kick out to the corners, so I'm just trying to grow and show what I'm capable of doing as far as for the future of this team, and hopefully I can be a part of it." This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: 3 biggest takeaways for Sixers following latest road loss to Knicks
USA Today
02-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
3 biggest takeaways for Sixers following latest road loss to Knicks
3 biggest takeaways for Sixers following latest road loss to Knicks NEW YORK -- The Philadelphia 76ers were unable to snap their losing streak as it reached nine on Tuesday with a 105-91 loss to the New York Knicks. The Sixers had a big third quarter to charge back into the game, but the Knicks eventually put them away in this one. The Knicks knocked down 12 triples compared to just six for Philadelphia and got 20 points off the bench from former Sixer Landry Shamet who knocked down six triples of his own. OG Anunoby had 27 as well for New York. Quentin Grimes had 26 points and five assists for the Sixers, Adem Bona had nine points and eight rebounds, and Lonnie Walker IV had 11 and seven rebounds with four assists. Ricky Council IV added 15 points while Alex Reese had 10 and Marcus Bagley had nine and eight boards. Here are the three biggest takeaways following the loss: Grimes' point guard minutes Coach Nick Nurse has said recently that he wants to see Grimes at the point guard spot and see him handle the ball a bit more. He got the start at the point against the Knicks and it was a mixed bag. He did have five assists, but he had three turnovers and he wasn't his usual aggressive self as he looked to get teammates involved. Nurse started Jared Butler at the point guard spot in the second half and moved Grimes off the ball to get him going on the offensive end. Obviously, those point guard minutes will be a work in progress. "I just, again, I thought we were starting kind of our best available guys," Nurse said after the loss. "I wanted to play Q some on the ball. I just didn't love it in this game. I just wanted to get a different look and get him off the ball some and try to get him going, which ended up being pretty good. We had a really good third quarter, a little better lineup, a little bit better ball-handling there for a while. It's a big factor in the game. We turned the ball over a lot." Young guys getting reps The Sixers are, obviously, not having the season anybody expected when the 2024-25 season began back in October. This was a team that was expected to contend for a championship, but instead, they have flopped due to a number of issues such as injuries and players underperforming. With that being said, these last handful of games are going to be important for guys like Justin Edwards, Walker, Council, Grimes, and others to get the all-important reps needed to grow as players in this league. "The repetition is the one thing you said that can help these younger guys," said veteran Kyle Lowry. "Just the experience, and at the end of the day, these guys aren't just playing for one team. They're auditioning for 29 other teams including our organization. So it gives them a chance to be seen, get better as basketball players, get better as professionals. It's just great for these guys to have this opportunity. Unfortunately, we're not winning games, but they're working hard, and hopefully it translates in the next couple." Walker the playmaker Speaking of those reps, it is important for the Sixers to get a guy like Walker going as a playmaker. The Sixers already know that he can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket, but if they can unlock the playmaking part of his game, then he is going to be a much more well-rounded player for Philadelphia as it decides who will be on the team in 2025-26 when the Sixers are a much healthier group. "Yeah, for sure," Walker said. "I mean, I probably should have had a little bit more assists today as well, but I've definitely been growing in that aspect. Just making the game simple, manipulating the game. The more passing you get, the easier it is to score because they're worried about your passing and things of that nature. So I'm just trying to make it as simple as possible for myself and for my teammates. Bona be at the right places. I had a couple kick out to the corners, so I'm just trying to grow and show what I'm capable of doing as far as for the future of this team, and hopefully I can be a part of it."
