CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers quickly saw what they have in Jalen McDaniels after acquiring him at the deadline when they threw him out there in Saturday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets. The fourth-year veteran out of San Diego State had five points and four rebounds off the bench.
The way he scored was noteworthy as well. McDaniels finished a lob after rolling off a screen and he spotted up and drilled a 3 in the fourth quarter to help the Sixers secure a victory. It was an overall very good debut for him.
“He’s gonna be a great addition,” Shake Milton said. “He’s just somebody who’s long, can defend, can shoot the ball. He can just do a little bit of everything. That’s the type of guy want to play with. You can see it in the game already how he can make an impact defensively and then offensively, he was screening and getting into spots so he’s gonna be good for us.”
McDaniels naturally has some work to do to get up to speed with the Sixers and how they operate, but Milton and other Sixers are pulling him aside and are willing to help him grow with the team.
“I think everybody is,” Milton added. “Just whatever we see, we try to just help him out. Especially, when he’s out there on the court because a lot of times he’s on the court right now and he doesn’t really know all the plays or defensively what we’re trying to do.”
At this point, it’s all about getting McDaniels integrated with the team. Milton is going to do all he can to help him get acclimated.
“Just trying to keep him involved, trying to keep my arm around him, and keep teaching him,” Milton finished. “He’s an easy guy, too, because he wants to learn. He wants to get better. He feels like he’s already a part of the team. So I mean, it’s gonna be an easy transition.”
McDaniels looks to continue that integration in the final two games before the All-Star break starting on Monday against the Houston Rockets.
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