Sixers consider pairing Wroten with Carter-Williams
The 76ers are putting a lot of stock into finding the right talent in the 2014 NBA draft. But there is a chance that they already have their talented backcourt of the future in Michael Carter-Williams and Tony Wroten.
The 76ers are putting a lot of stock into finding the right talent in the 2014 NBA draft.
But there is a chance that they already have their talented backcourt of the future in Michael Carter-Williams and Tony Wroten.
The Sixers (7-18) will try to figure it out once Carter-Williams returns. The rookie has missed the last six games with an infection and soreness in his right knee.
Coach Brett Brown said he has spoken to the two point guards about coexisting in the backcourt.
"He said we need to figure out how we are going to do playing together, because that's what he wants to do," said Wroten, who started the last six games in place of Carter-Williams. "He wasn't saying that we are both going to start. He was just saying [to] keep that in mind and talk it over."
Both players have proved to be game changers when they're on the court. The holdup is that they both need the ball in their hands. Wroten would have to slide over to shooting guard, and at this stage, he hasn't been as productive without the ball.
Wroten thinks he can make the switch.
"I played [shooting guard] in college," said Wroten, who averaged 16 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in his lone season at Washington. "We had a good point guard in Abdul Gaddy. So I switched over to a two-guard."
The 6-foot-6 Wroten has been the Sixers best player in Carter-Williams' absence. The 20-year-old Seattle native has averaged 18.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds as a starter.
Carter-Williams, meanwhile, is the face of the franchise. The 6-6, 185-pounder was named NBA Eastern Conference rookie of the month for November. He is the first Sixer to win the award since Allen Iverson in April 1997.
Orton suspended
Reserve center Daniel Orton and Portland Trail Blazers backup center Meyers Leonard will serve one-game suspensions without pay for their altercation in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game at the Wells Fargo Center.
Leonard body-slammed Orton to the floor. Orton responded with an elbow to Leonard's mouth. Both players were ejected from the game.
Orton will sit out Monday's game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center.