CAMDEN, N.J. — The 76ers traded the No. 23 pick in Thursday night’s NBA Draft to the Grizzlies for combination guard De’Anthony Melton, according to ESPN.
Melton, a fourth-year pro, averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and hit .374 of his 3-pointers last season while excelling in catch-and-shoot situations. He’s under contract for $8.25 million next year and $8 million in 2023-24. The Sixers also apparently sent the non-guaranteed $10 million contract of Danny Green to Memphis in the deal.
Melton is expected to come off the bench for the Sixers, whose second unit let them down again in the playoffs.
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The Sixers also discussed trading the pick and other players, such as wing Matisse Thybulle, with numerous teams, according to ESPN and other outlets, in an effort to upgrade the roster. They need a fifth starter, better wings, more bench help and to become more physical.
The Nets could’ve taken the Sixers’ pick this year or in 2023 as part of the February James Harden/Ben Simmons trade. Brooklyn opted for Philadelphia first-round selection next year, figuring the Sixers’ regular-season record won’t be as good and result in a higher choice.
The Sixers traded away their 2022 second-round pick, as well as two others they had accumulated. Philly’s predraft workouts at the team’s training facility were closed to the media.
The Sixers finished fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 51-31 record during the regular season, losing to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
