Sixers Notes: Turkish forward still ticketed for Sixers
Furkan Aldemir is supposed to arrive in Philadelphia within a week, according to several reports. The Turkish power forward announced via Facebook on Nov. 24 that he was headed to the NBA, where the 76ers hold his rights. At the time, the 6-foot-9, 230-pounder had his contract with Galatasaray of the Turkish Basketball League terminated after the franchise failed to pay his salary for five months.
Furkan Aldemir is supposed to arrive in Philadelphia within a week, according to several reports.
The Turkish power forward announced via Facebook on Nov. 24 that he was headed to the NBA, where the 76ers hold his rights. At the time, the 6-foot-9, 230-pounder had his contract with Galatasaray of the Turkish Basketball League terminated after the franchise failed to pay his salary for five months.
Then there were reports that Aldemir was willing to stay with Galatasaray if the team was able to pay his salary by Monday.
However, he is expected to sign a four-year deal with the Sixers, with the first two seasons guaranteed.
The Sixers acquired Aldemir's NBA rights along with Royce White in a trade with the Houston Rockets in July 2013. At the time, the perception was that the move was made to help the Rockets get rid of White's $1.7 million contract for the 2013-14 season and give a maximum contract to free agent Dwight Howard.
The Sixers wouldn't make the trade until they got the rights to the 23-year-old Aldemir.
Saric honored
Sixers draftee Dario Saric, 20, was named the Euroleague Basketball MVP for the month for November. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 15.5 points and 7.75 rebounds to lead Anadolu Efes of the Turkish Basketball League to a 3-1 record for the month.
"I think it's a fantastic example of [Sixers general manager] Sam Hinkie's ability to draft," Sixers coach Brett Brown said. "I think it's a fantastic example of all we have to look forward to and be excited about.
"I think that at times as we go through difficulty and we lose, it's easy to get down. But then you remind yourself, well, [sidelined rookie center] Joel Embiid is going to be a unique player. And Daric, being the youngest player of the Euroleague to be named an MVP validates his skill set."
The Sixers traded 10th overall pick Elfrid Payton to the Magic for Saric, the 12th pick, on draft night.
Saric signed a three-year deal with Efes in the days leading up to the draft. He is expected to spend this season and next overseas.
Richardson's return
Jason Richardson is projected to return to the court right before the NBA All-Star Game in February. The Sixers guard hasn't played since he injured his left kneecap in January 2013. He suffered a stress fracture in his right foot in October while rehabilitating his left knee.
"I'm the type of guy, I'm not settling for that," Richardson said of returning right before the All-Star Game. "In the worst case, it could be the end of this month. It just depends on how my body reacts, how my foot reacts, how my knee reacts. It's a waiting game."