NEW YORK — The Philadelphia 76ers made their move at the trade deadline when they brought in Jalen McDaniels from the Charlotte Hornets in a four-team deal that sent Matisse Thybulle to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Sixers were bringing in somebody they believed they could trust more to contribute in the playoffs at both ends of the court. McDaniels is a very strong defender while also being able to knock down 3-pointers when the time calls for it.
Through his first three career playoff games, McDaniels has made an impact with his athleticism. He has bothered the Brooklyn Nets guards on the perimeter, and he has shown a knack to knock down an open shot.
“I think Jalen has been spectacular,” Georges Niang said on Friday. “To be tossed into a group that is in a win-now mode after being in Charlotte, no offense to them, and having devour the details every single day focusing on the winning habits. Not saying that he didn’t have any already, but as a team, every little thing that we do is focused towards winning and winning a championship.”
McDaniels has had some struggles, but, overall, the Sixers have been happy with what they have received from the athletic wing out of San Diego State. His ability to get into perimeter scorers and give the Sixers a spark on that end as well as being able to run the floor is helpful.
“He’s done just a great job of coming in and using his size and using his ability to defend and finish at the rim to really propel us over the top,” Niang added. “That was something that we had been missing. Someone that can play on both ends of the floor and he’s been spectacular.”
He’s also having to do this in a situation where it is not easy to play in Philadelphia for a young kid. He hasn’t blinked since he joined the Sixers.
“Credit to him because I couldn’t imagine being a young kid, traded, then his real pressure in Philadelphia, these fans will let you hear it,” Niang laughed. “The media let you hear it. So for him to come in and fit in with us, I guess, speaks volumes to who he is and how focused he is on being a winner.”
The Sixers will look to sweep the Nets on Saturday afternoon in Game 4 of this first-round series.
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