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There's probably some poetic words to be said about both guys the Sixers traded for in the big offseason move now out with serious knee injuries. But I don't have anything. The Sixers are really bad right now and more injuries don't make me feel so bad for them as they do for the actual hurt players. Jason Richardson can be added to the far right list of guys we won't see until next season, because as Marc Spears reported last night, he's having knee surgery.
Not much you can say to that. We'll continue to see a lot of Nick Young in the starting lineup and probably a bit more of Dorell Wright and Damien Wilkins too. Maybe they'll sign some youthful rogue from the D-League. But that leaves the already thin and bad Sixers even thinner and badder.
In regards to possibly acquiring someone else via trade before the deadline? Tony DiLeo answered that yesterday, probably knowing the J-Rich news already.
#Sixers DiLeo: Thad Young injury won't affect what #76ers will do by Feb. 21 trade deadline. Looking for long-term assets.
— Tom Moore (@tmoorepburbs) February 6, 2013
That's for the best. This year's success may never have been too important, but it's especially not the case now.
Would J-Rich have helped a potential playoff run? Sure, a little. But he's basically been a non-factor for months and unless Andrew Bynum and Thaddeus Young come back healthy and fantastic, there's still very very little chance they actually make the playoffs.
Dwight Howard. Andrew Bynum. Jason Richardson. Vucevic, Harkless and Iguodala need to watch themselves. #cursedtrade
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) February 7, 2013
A recovery time of 6-9 months means he may not be ready for the start of the season, which is hard to take. I don't much like J-Rich in the starting lineup with his deteriorating skill set, but for 15-20 minutes off the bench? There's value in that.
The Sixers will be paying him over $6 million next year with a player option for $6.6 more in 2014. Keep in mind they had to take him in order to get Bynum, so it's not like he was a big free agent signing. Hopefully he heals quickly and can contribute next season.
Until then, the screwed just get more screwed.