PHILADELPHIA–New Philadelphia 76ers addition Jalen McDaniels has officially made his way to the City of Brotherly Love and he has been made available to make his debut on Friday for the team’s home matchup with the New York Knicks.
McDaniels was acquired in a deadline day deal from the Charlotte Hornets in a four-team deal that sent Matisse Thybulle to the Portland Trail Blazers. He is averaging 10.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 56 games with 21 starts in Charlotte and he gave his reaction to how he knew he was joining the team on Friday.
“Pretty much after practice,” said McDaniels. “A call from my agent, pretty much I really didn’t think I was gonna get traded, but we were just talking and then he was like ‘You’re going to Philly’. I’m like ‘Right now?’ and he was like ‘Yeah’ and I’m on the phone and a few of my teammates look at me. I guess it was on Twitter or whatever so I was like ‘Yeah, I’m really not a Charlotte Hornet anymore. I’m going to Philly’. So I was excited.”
McDaniels is going from a rebuilding team in Charlotte to a team that has championship aspirations. That can be a tough move for anybody as the expectations around him and for him are now risen.
“Definitely exciting,” he said with a smile. “Just a team that’s been far in the past and planning on going there this year. Them coming after me and wanting me to be here says a lot about what I can bring to the team and help get to that point.”
New addition Jalen McDaniels is here to help this team contend this season #Sixers pic.twitter.com/enHMC6vnls
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) February 10, 2023
As far as what he brings to the Sixers, McDaniels explained that he brings a lot of versatility and he can do a lot of different things for the Sixers.
“I would say just my personal game,” he said. “Being versatile on offense, defense, guard multiple positions, run the floor on offense, play with a high motor, and just doing the little things. I don’t really need plays called for me, stuff like that, so just going out there, playing hard, and I feel like everything is gonna fall into place.”
In terms of any conversations he had with coach Doc Rivers, McDaniels stated the same as he moves forward with his new team.
“We talked earlier,” McDaniels added. “He was just telling me what he thinks of me and he was asking me what I can bring to the table and we agreed on what I just said. Versatility on defense and offense running the floor and stuff like that.”
McDaniels may make his debut on Friday against the Knicks at home.
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