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Remember when Kendall Marshall was just a misused/ignored rookie point guard for the Phoenix Suns who just deserved a chance to play? That was only like two and a half years ago. Now, after stints with the Delaware 87ers, LA Lakers, and Milwaukee Bucks, the former Tar Heel finally reaches his inevitable destination in Philadelphia. Rumors circled around a potential signing recently, especially after Marshall reportedly worked out for the Sixers at PCOM.
Adrian Wojnarowski reported the deal is guaranteed in full for the upcoming season. Marshall tore his ACL after playing 28 games with the rapidly developing Milwaukee Bucks last season, playing as a post-up guard. While his specialty as a point guard is using his size on the block, Marshall can also shoot a little bit and create in the pick-and-roll.
In his mailbag yesterday, Jake Pavorsky discussed Marshall's fit in the 76ers' ecosystem and their shiny new franchise center. As Jake puts it below, Marshall's fit is dependent upon the team's pace and style of play:
I'd be pretty intrigued if the Sixers do decide to add him, but his effectiveness is definitely dependent on how much they change their offensive system. Brett Brown has had his team playing a run-and-gun style offense at a sometimes nauseatingly quick pace over the past few years, but I think that's going to have to change with Jahlil Okafor in the fold. They're going to have to allow him to get position and play through the post, and that will slow things down considerably. In a post dominated offense, you're looking for a point guard who can feed the low block and space the floor, and Marshall fits that pretty well. He's an exceptional passer, and a pretty decent three-point shooter.
Marshall joins a highly crowded backcourt of young players. He's not going to compete in training camp due to his rehab, but a safe assumption is that the Sixers plan on having him on their 15-man roster since they guaranteed a full-season salary, which as a fourth-year player is roughly $981K. The Sixers would need to be overwhelmed by one of their other camp invites in order to let him go.
I can confirm Michael Levin has thoughts on this. He may be doing standing back flips.