June 24, 2022
The Sixers drafted exactly zero players during the 2022 NBA Draft, but that hasn't prevented the organization from creating a buzz.
They team traded the 23rd pick and injured veteran wing Danny Green to the Memphis Grizzlies for 24-year-old guard De'Anthony Melton. Melton has been a darling in the analytics community for years given his defensive prowess and increasingly high volume three-point shooting. He fits the Daryl Morey mold smoothly, especially given that Morey drafted Melton when he was running the show with the Rockets.
What has the reaction been among the national media about the Melton move? It's positive! Here's what they're saying...
At The Athletic, Zach Harper couldn't have loved the trade more for the Sixers:
That’s a brilliant value play by president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. Melton fits perfectly into everything Morey wants out of his complementary guards.
...
Melton is a hellish defender and gets after everybody. He’s 6 foot 3 with nearly a 6-foot-9 wingspan and can handle anybody on the perimeter.
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Overall, Melton is just an extremely valuable role player, and he has two more seasons under contract at a total of $16.5 million, which is a great value.
...
He’ll fit nicely next to James Harden. He’ll fit nicely next to Tyrese Maxey. And you can even play him with both guys on the floor at the same time. The odds of the Sixers getting a ready-made player at 23 in this draft were very low. That’s how you execute. [The Athletic/$]
On Sporting News, Kyle Irving (had to do a double take on that name) gave the Sixers a B+ for their draft night haul:
The 76ers traded their No. 23 overall pick to the Grizzlies for reserve guard DeAnthony Melton, and that's a win for Philly. The Sixers were likely going to target a guard with the No. 23 pick and even though there were some talented guards available, no one could have the immediate impact that a defender and playmaker like Melton will. [Sporting News]
ESPN's Andrew Lopez discussed the Sixers' De'Anthony Melton acquisition when asked, "Which pre-draft or draft-night trade will have the biggest impact?"
Philadelphia traded two players who were likely to have minimal impact next season -- Colorado State forward David Roddy, whom they drafted with the No. 23 pick, and Danny Green, who suffered a torn ACL in the 2022 playoffs -- for someone who can make an immediate contribution next season in De'Anthony Melton. The 24-year-old Melton averaged 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds last season in Memphis, both career highs, as he found more minutes playing off the ball with the Grizzlies. [ESPN]
Jeff McDevitt isn't a writer, but he's a renown member of the Philadelphia Sports Twitter scene and these stats were too juicy to not post:
With Harden being a lefty, having players that shoot well from the weak side right wing on skip passes is key, and Melton is one of the best in the league at it pic.twitter.com/zzHhN1Wi4V
— Jeff McDevitt (@JeffMcDev) June 24, 2022
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