February 26, 2016
The Philadelphia 76ers were involved in a bunch of “almost” trade rumors over the last week, but just like another top member of the brain trust, chairman of basketball operations Jerry Colangelo expressed that the team wasn’t very close to a deal.
Colangelo, who was in Oklahoma City attending the memorial service for Ingrid Williams on the day of deadline, felt that the Sixers’ lack of activity was to be expected.
“It was what it was, I didn’t think we had many options in terms of trade to speak of,” Colangelo said before Friday night’s game against the Washington Wizards. “It’s just too early. There have been many times that I’ve been very excited about certain dates, deadlines, drafts, and free agency. We’re moving in that direction, that’s the best thing I could say.”
To move in that direction, Colangelo and the front office need to evaluate the team’s important young pieces. That is why the 76-year-old executive, who was in town for a few team meetings, isn’t too worried after the Sixers defense essentially took a week off.
“A little off kilter” was how Colangelo described the team’s recent play. But to him, some very rough patches are worth being able to observe Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel together.
“The important thing is, ‘What can we get out of the last 25 games?’ Colangelo said. “Find out as much as we can about what we have before you talk about what we’re going to be doing. And if there’s any questions we have about our present personnel, let’s learn a few more things. That’s all.”
When asked about the job Brett Brown has done, Colangelo was upbeat. The real test to see if there is a marked change in the Sixers’ direction/philosophy will come in the offseason, but for now, he sounds more than willing to sit back and watch.
“We ought to just observe for these last 25 and be better prepared to make those decisions when we make those decisions,” Colangelo said.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
