Boyd: Sixers Should Think Hard Before Dealing Wroten
By Ray Boyd
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Sixers are not shy when it comes to making trades. Cap flexibility, rights to overseas draft picks, cheap contracts and 2nd round picks make the Sixers the best partner to call up when a team is looking to make a trade.
Typically, the Sixers only come up when a team is looking to dump a salary, like the acquisitions of Jared Cunningham or Andrei Kirilenko to name a few.
On Wednesday, it appeared a team might be interested in working a deal with the Sixers not merely to dump a contract, but to acquire some talent.
A report out of the Orange County Register stated that the Clippers were interested in dealing for Tony Wroten. The Clippers are in need of bench help and could use another solid wing scorer.
The timing of the report was interesting in that in lined up with the Sixers-Clippers deal that brought Cunningham to town (briefly), but the deal was unrelated to any interest in Wroten.
It isn't surprising that teams would call the Sixers inquiring about Wroten. It is arguable that he has been the team's best player this season and is clearly the best scorer.
On the season, Wroten is averaging 17.2 points per game (leads team) and 5.2 assists per night as well. Despite being a third year NBA player, Wroten is still only 21 years old and is developing into the team's most fearless offensive players.
Wroten never shies away from the moment.
When the Sixers pulled out a win over the Cavaliers on Monday night, Wroten scored the eventual game winning basket on a tough drive to the basket with nine seconds remaining. He wants the ball in those spots even though he isn't always out there for those moments.
When Brett Brown addressed the media, after the win over Cleveland, he praised the tenacity that Wroten has.
"Tony's not going to die wondering," Brown said. "You would far prefer to have that ready, aim, fire mentality than being scared or cautious. That kid wears his heart on his sleeve, he's got a motor and he wants desperately to be on the court."
Wroten plays with a sense of swagger and reckless abandon that this team sort of needs. He is developing into a leader for this team and has expressed on numerous occasions how excited he is to be a part of the team for the rebuild and how he can't wait to see what it will be like when they complete the process.
This is a player that is confident in the rebuild process and that is something that might be more valuable than cash considerations or picks five years down the line. The Sixers need an identity and Wroten seems willing and eager to be that guy.
It isn't hard to tell that he likes being a Sixer...
While nothing appears imminent, a team could very well come along and offer Sam Hinkie a deal for Wroten that he can't refuse. Before he pulls the trigger on a trade, he should think about the culture the Sixers are trying to build.
Wroten is far from perfect. He leaves a number of us scratching our heads sometimes, but the growth in his numbers over three NBA seasons is a definite positive. He also possesses the type of attitude about the direction of the franchise that could positively influence the players around him.
It also clear he has a real connection with Brown that makes his potential on the court even more intriguing.
A young player with the passion, energy and upside that Wroten has may be a commodity that Hinkie would be wise to hold onto.
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