The Philadelphia 76ers watched the NBA trade deadline come and go on Feb. 21. But the Sixers weren’t alone, as most everyone in the NBA watched the deadline pass by without making a major move. While the Sixers did stock up their bench by acquiring Charles Jenkins from the Golden State Warriors, the team’s makeup stayed pretty much the same.
According to CBS Philly, the Sixers acquired Jenkins and cash considerations for a protected second round draft pick. With the squad as banged up as it is, Philadelphia needs all the depth it can get, and Jenkins is set to fit that bill at the very least.
Jenkins has only started 28 games in two years for the Warriors, averaging 3.9 points and 12.1 minutes a game. However, the Sixers couldn’t get anyone who can make a more immediate impact, and they didn’t have much room to try.
There were brief rumors that Evan Tuner and Spencer Hawes could be trade bait, perhaps even for the Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Smith. Yet all three of these players stayed with their current teams, as the Sixers didn’t part with a single man.
Of course, that isn’t anything to brag about too much, given that Philadelphia is 22-30 with the players it has now. Keeping this losing collection completely intact isn’t so much a sign of faith, as a sign that there were really no better options. There won’t be until the offseason, when the Sixers have to either sign Andrew Bynum to a long-term deal or pursue another star in his place.
Until that important time comes, the Sixers are stuck with what they have. But they aren’t alone, as the vast majority of NBA teams stayed put on the deadline as well. Neither Smith, Dwight Howard nor any other notable star got moved, so the deadline as a whole became a complete bust.
It can’t truly be a bust for the Sixers, however, since they were a bust long before Feb. 21. While there will certainly be demands for more substantial change in a few months, Philadelphia has to make due with the little it has left until then.
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