The Toronto Raptors had enough cap space to make one more noteworthy move following the departure of Fred VanVleet and addition of Dennis Schroder, and they did so when they convinced Jalen McDaniels to join the club on a two-year deal worth slightly over $9 million.
McDaniels made his name as a wing with the Charlotte Hornets, but Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers acquired him in a swap at the trade deadline that saw Philly part ways with multiple draft picks and another defensive specialist with more pedigree in Matisse Thybulle.
The 76ers haven’t done much in free agency, as they have likely spent most of their time trying to find a new landing spot for James Harden. Players like Shake Milton (who left to join the Timberwolves) and McDaniels have fallen through the cracks and left the team.
Philly’s grand caper that brought McDaniels to town has ended after just a handful of games in which he was improperly used. Now, they have to watch him play for one of their most hated rivals on a fairly economical deal for both parties, which has to irritate Daryl Morey.
The Sixers traded Matisse Thybulle and what became the 34th pick in this year’s NBA Draft for 24 insignificant regular season games and zero playoff contributions from Jalen McDaniels, a move made in part to duck the luxury tax. Pretty brutal in retrospect. https://t.co/uLNNZHFLKW
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) July 1, 2023
The Toronto Raptors stole Jalen McDaniels.
While some might not like the idea of Toronto signing someone who fell out of Philadelphia’s postseason rotation, it is not unreasonable to assume the reason for such a rapid decline in playing time was poor roster management by a coach who was recently fired in Doc Rivers.
Masai Ujiri is still adhering to his philosophy of building a versatile, defense-first team, and McDaniels fits in perfectly with that mindset. Not only can his long 6-9 frame be a very unique defensive weapon for the Raptors, but he has also shown to be a quality 3-point shooter.
What really makes this loss sting for the 76ers, on top of the team they lost him to, was the fact that McDaniels is the type of player from a physical point of view that Nick Nurse has often found great success with during his time with the Raptors. Instead, McDaniels joined his former employer.
Traded Matisse Thybulle & a pick for a half season of Jalen McDaniels…
— RB (@RBPhillyTake) July 1, 2023
Who now walks in free agency for about $4.6 mil AAV.
Unreal.
The 76ers should have made a more concerted effort to keep McDaniels around, as he would have been the type of player who has often thrived under the watchful eye of Nurse. Instead, Toronto will reap the benefits of a player that is just starting to enter his physical prime.