The Philadelphia 76ers made a draft night trade in 2018 to acquire Zhaire Smith from the Phoenix Suns hoping that he would make an immediate impact on the defensive end with his athletic ability.
Unfortunately, injuries and an allergic reaction robbed him of his rookie season and he was then relegated to the G League in his second season as Philadelphia drafted Matisse Thybulle in 2019 who plays the same position and role. Combine Thybulle’s emergence with the presence of Tobias Harris and Josh Richardson and there seems to be no room for Smith.
That leaves Philadelphia in a position where they could move Smith for some immediate help, but is it too early to move him? He is only 21-years old and he finished up a solid season in Delaware shooting 37.6% from deep on 4.2 attempts per game and that is all while continuing to adjust a brand new position after playing the power forward spot in college.
Smith said on The Bell Ringer Podcast:
“At Tech, I was playing the 4 and when I decided to enter my name in the draft and stay in the draft, I immediately got on my ball-handling real quick,” he explained. “The G League helped with that. I got tons of reps in and I just feel like I’m continuing to progress and getting better at it playing only two years of guard.”
It just would not make much basketball sense to give up on a 21-year old kid who has been working hard on his game. It is not easy going from college big man to NBA guard and Smith has made improvements, especially in his shot where he made the improvement from 20% from deep as a rookie in Delaware up to 37.6% in his second season. The shooting number is something that should interest the Sixers especially with Thybulle so up-and-down from deep.
The plan before the league was suspended was to have Smith join the Sixers for the stretch run and into the playoffs after the Blue Coats season ends. That type of experience and being around the veterans would be helpful for him. One can assume that he will rejoin the team when the season resumes in Orlando.
Another thing to consider, Richardson has an $11.6 million player option for the 2021-22 season so there is a chance that the Sixers move him before he has the chance to accept that option. In that case, Philadelphia could bring in Smith and slide him into the rotation and give him a shot. It would behoove general manager Elton Brand to see what Smith can do at the NBA level. [lawrence-related id=33365,33359,33349]