The new regime in Philadelphia appear to have made their first change.
The 76ers acquired point guard Ish Smith from the Pelicans on Thursday in exchange for two second round draft picks, and the move was reportedly driven by new assistant Mike D’Antoni.
According to John Reid of the Times Picayune, D’Antoni likes Smith and is impressed by his skills and wanted him on the team’s roster.
This would seem to be further evidence in support of those who believe the additions of D’Antoni and Jerry Colangelo are meant to bring credibility and weaken the power of Sam Hinkie. There’s no real long-term benefit to this move, and it’s very much out of Hinkie’s character. Ish Smith isn’t going to significantly improve a 1-30 team, but this is about bringing credibility to an organization that is regarded as a joke and putting something at least a bit more competitive on the floor this year. After all, when even the commissioner dislikes your strategy, it’s probably time to change something.
