clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Jalen McDaniels upgraded to available for Sixers-Knicks game

Making Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III look silly.

NBA: Charlotte Hornets at Detroit Pistons Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers upgraded Jalen McDaniels to avaliable ahead of the Sixers-Knicks game. McDaniels is the newest addition to the roster, coming over in the four-team trade that sent Matisse Thybulle to Portland.

In most deals, teams prefer to wait a game or two to acclimate a player into their system, so this is somewhat of a surprise. Doc Rivers even mentioned that McDaniels will likely make his Sixer debut tonight.

McDaniels should become a valuable rotation piece for the Sixers. While he isn’t as capable defensively as Thybulle was, he’s better offensively; where he can cut and shoot at a higher rate. His rebounding, in particular, should be a breath of fresh air to fans.

McDaniels has financial incentive to ball out during the home stretch of this season, ahead of his unrestricted free agency. Thus far he’s positioned himself well, averaging 10.4 points and 4.8 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game.

Doc Rivers has said things pregame that don’t come to fruition in the past, but we’ll see if tonight’s game truly kicks off the Jalen McDaniels era in Philly. It seems like it’s off to a great start so far, as some players the Sixers traded for in the past took weeks to show up.

cough Alec Burks, Glenn Robinson III cough

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the Liberty Ballers Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of Philadelphia 76ers news from Liberty Ballers