Rookie K.J. McDaniels a no-show at 76ers camp

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. - K.J. McDaniels said he was happy to be a 76er shortly after he was selected with the 32d overall pick in June's draft.

Apparently he is not quite as happy with the contract the team is offering.

McDaniels was not present Tuesday for the opening day of training camp at Richard Stockton College. As of Tuesday afternoon, he had yet to sign his contract. The Sixers expect him to sign it in the near future.

"It's just a situation that comes up, and [general manager] Sam [Hinkie] is handling it," coach Brett Brown said. "I trust Sam will handle it the way we need to as a club.

"We do miss K.J. I look forward to getting him back with us and with me."

The Sixers had McDaniels, who left Clemson after his junior season, rated higher than a second-rounder on their draft board.

The guard/forward was the only NCAA player to lead his team in scoring (17.1 points a game), rebounds (7.1 a game), three-point field goals (42), steals (41), and blocked shots (100).

The Sixers opened camp with a thinner and healthier Arnett Moultrie.

Last season, Moultrie could not play until late December after preseason ankle surgery. The power forward did not play in his first game until Feb. 9 because he was in less-than-optimal playing shape.

But Moultrie is noticeably thinner than the 250 pounds he was listed at last season.

"Last Tuesday, I weighed in at 242 pounds and 10 percent body fat," said the 6-foot-11 veteran of two seasons. Moultrie said he lost the weight by giving up fried food.

"I'm just 100 percent injury-free," he said. "This time last year, I was having surgery. So I'm just real excited."

The former Mississippi State standout is eager to get a new start.

Moultrie was in Brown's doghouse last season. The former all-Southeastern Conference selection was suspended for five games without pay for violating the NBA's and the players union's antidrug policy. He was assigned to the Delaware 87ers, the Sixers' NBA Development League team, twice last season.

Moultrie averaged 3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 12 Sixers games last season.

"Clearly, he has put in time, which to me is a strong indication of his attitude coming into this year," Brown said. "A positive reflection."

The Sixers waived Pierre Jackson, two months after signing the injured point guard to a partially guaranteed deal.

At the time of the signing, the Sixers were aware that the 5-10 rookie would be sidelined for six to 12 months after rupturing his right Achilles tendon July 5 in the Orlando Pro Summer League. According to reports, Jackson will receive a guaranteed $400,000 from the Sixers this season while he rehabilitates his injury.

The move brings the team's training-camp roster to 20 players.