Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie spoke to reporters for the first time since September 2014 on Friday, addressing his team’s flurry of activity just prior to the NBA trade deadline on Thursday.
Hinkie took on criticism of his dealing Sixers starting point guard Michael Carter Williams, as well as emerging sparkplug K.J. McDaniels.
Williams was sent to the Bucks in a three-team deal that netted the Sixers two first-round draft picks, including the top-five protected Lakers pick that the Suns had from the Steve Nash deal.
Williams won Rookie of the Year last season and was putting up impressive statistics for the Sixers this season, although he also struggled with turnovers and shooting.
Hinkie appeared to point to that latter deficiency in the press conference. “Michael only left here because there was a way to move our program forward. He did nothing wrong,” he said. But he added, “For us to be among the best teams, you have to be able to shoot from 3.”
Hinkie said that teams have been trying to acquire Williams since his first NBA game last season.
“Only way we’ve moved him is if somebody blew us away,” Hinkie said, reported Tom Moore of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Something came along. It’s very rare you get a chance to get your hands on what maybe can be a high lottery pick.”
Although the Lakers will likely keep their pick this season since they’re one of the worst teams in the league, the pick will likely be conveyed to the Sixers in 2016 since Los Angeles plans to chase free agents this summer upon Kobe Bryant’s return.
