Watch CBS News

Colangelo: Searching For 'Better Players' Via Free Agency, Trades

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia 76ers are looking to shake up their roster and they're not afraid to talk about it.

On Monday, head coach Brett Brown said on 94WIP that he would be "surprised" if the Sixers did not trade a big man before the season started. Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo, just days ahead of his first free-agency period with the organization, is in lockstep with his coach.

"Brett and I are together on everything and to be honest with you, I don't think it's a public appeal," Colangelo told the 94WIP Morning Show of Brown's comments. "It's just an acknowledgement of where we are. We really would like to improve the backcourt, whether it's the one or the two position. I like to say guards and wings. We really do need to improve this basketball from top to bottom and that's something that we've been trying to do. Some of it entails developing the young guys that we have and some of it means bringing in some better players. And I'm in search of those better players right now via free agency, via trade conversations that we're having."

Listen: Bryan Colangelo on the 94WIP Morning Show

 

A lot has been made about the Sixers' number one overall pick, Ben Simmons, and what position the 6'10", 240-pound athletic freak will play. Colangelo says he's ultimately going to be a "facilitator who distributes the basketball and makes players on the court better."

The Sixers have major holes at the guard position and Colangelo is asking some of the same questions as the fan base.

"Who's gonna guard the point guard?" Colangelo said on Tuesday. "Who's gonna be able to shoot it in a catch and shoot situation? Who's gonna be able to be a secondary ball handler or a backup point, if say Ben Simmons is off the floor -- or the primary ball handler if Ben is off the floor. I just think we need to feel our way a little bit here. We're not gonna win a championship this season, but we hope to make incredible strides in terms of getting better and building this program. But when you add a versatile, talented piece like Ben Simmons you let some of that stuff work itself out."

Colangelo has had to answer plenty of questions about his predecessor over the past couple of weeks, but admitted he doesn't care what Sam Hinkie would have done in last week's draft.

"I've given Sam lots of credit," Colangelo said. "I really don't like to look backward, I like to look forward. So what we're trying to do is build a team. I don't know what Sam would have done in the draft. I don't care what Sam would have done in the draft. What I care about is what we're doing right now to build this basketball team."

NBA free-agency negotiations begin on Friday, July 1st. Teams cannot sign players officially until July 8th.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.