With only a handful of weeks left in the regular season, the Sixers continue to have a marred season. The team’s big man Joel Embiid, who had a frustrating season playing in 19 games, hammered the final nail in the coffin earlier today. Moreover, as the team heads into the last stretches of the season with a tiny hope left to qualify for the playoffs, Daryl Morey & Co. roped in an ex-Lakers player. Will it be the last roll of dice?
Shams Charania did the noble task of strengthening the fans’ hearts before the tragedy. A few weeks ago, the NBA Insider updated that Embiid would undergo another surgery for his nagging knee injury, ultimately ending his 2024-25 season campaign. And just as he said, the 76ers announced the big word on the Cameroonian center. Notably, Charania went a step further and said that Embiid might miss a part of the next season.
Well, we have to for it to know if it’s true, but one thing is true, the Sixers continue to trust Joel Embiid as they see a long-term future with him. So, what about the short-term target? I mean the current season. What do they have in mind? Yes, they have signed a two-way contract with the ex-Laker, Jalen-Hood Schifino, who exited the LA side as part of the Luka Doncic trade.
Shams: Jalen Hood-Schifino to sign a two-way contract with the Sixers.
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) March 1, 2025
21-year-old Schifino may not be the most popular Laker in the business, but he came into the league with heightened expectations. The team selected the guard with the 17th pick in the 2023 draft. Generally, the Lakers’ scouts do an unbelievably brilliant job of hitting the right note every single time.
I mean, look at the names like: Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball. Whether they stay with the team or not, that’s a different debate. But they make good choices. Did they make a good choice with Schifino? Let’s find out.
Will Jalen-Hood Schifino fill Joel Embiid’s void?
I know, it’s an outrageous question. How can a sophomore star, who is yet to prove himself, replace a former MVP? Well, the Sixers don’t have an option. It’s their last roll of dice. The 2024 offseason gamble with Paul George clearly didn’t work. Now, the team has 24 games to find themselves a spot in the Play-in tournament.
Let’s do a quick background check on Schifino and see what he has in the store for the Sixers family. In the rookie season, he had a major setback, sustaining a left hamstring strain. It restricted him to just 21 games, averaging 1.7 points in 5-odd minutes. And in this season, he only laced up for 2 games. So, there’s not much to derive from his Lakers stint. In fact, the team declined to sign the team option to keep his contract alive for the third year.
The team even traded him to the Utah Jazz ahead of the trade deadline as part of the three-team deal. Later, the Jazz also had waived his contract. In short, the Sixers have given him a second chance in his professional career. It’s up to him to grab it with both hands. Interestingly, he has proved himself at the G-league level, racking up 22.0 pts and 5.3 assists this season. So, there’s a glimmer of hope.
Will he help the Sixers make it to the playoffs? Let us know in the comments.
The post 76ers Take Swift Roster Decision With Former Lakers Star After Clearing Stance on Joel Embiid’s Season appeared first on EssentiallySports.
