NBA Trade Deadline 2016: JaKarr Sampson Waived by Sixers

Often seen as the poster child of the Sixers rebuilding plan, JaKarr Sampson's tenure in Philadelphia is done, at least temporarily. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Sampson is the casualty of Joel Anthony's arrival in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia 76ers are waiving JaKarr Sampson, league sources tell @TheVertical. The Sixers needed to create spot for Joel Anthony.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 18, 2016

The Sixers will presumably waive Anthony in the near future, but because the Sixers are at the roster limit, Anthony was not able to be acquired without a current member of the roster being cut. Sampson meets the end of the line as a result.

All hope is not lost for his Sixers tenure, however:

The Sixers want to resign JaKarr Sampson after he clears waivers, according to a league source.

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) February 18, 2016

The likelihood of a fringe member of the Sixers rotation being claimed off waivers is minimal, so if Sampson still wants a shot at an NBA career, it's likely he'll end up in Philly after all is said and done.

If not, it's a necessary (if heart-wrenching) cut. Sampson has played every role imaginable during his time here -- from power forward to emergency point -- and has flashed his toothy grin every step of the way. Hard to imagine a better soldier for the process, and Sampson is a guy I'll root for so long as he plays pro ball.