Sam Hinkie proved that he is not afraid to make bold decisions.
Now, Hinkie needs to prove that he can actually negotiate a contract. Sixth overall pick Nerlens Noel and eleventh overall pick Michael Carter-Williams remain unsigned as training camp looms. Noel will carry a cap hit of $2.643 million due to where he was selected in the draft while Carter-Williams will have a cap hit of $1.834 million.
The Sixers have not really "signed" any new players this summer but have claimed a number of them off waivers (see: Anderson, James) and traded for others. They must spend another $10 million to reach the salary cap floor, which sits at 90% of the salary cap. If the Sixers do not reach the salary cap floor, they must pay the remaining difference across their current roster - not much of a punishment to be honest.
The Sixers open up their preseason on October 6th in Spain against Spanish-team, Bilbao. Their picks will likely (hopefully) be signed by then.
Noel was acquired, along with a 2014 first round pick, from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for All Star point guard Jrue Holiday and the 42nd overall selection (PG Pierre Jackson, Baylor). Noel, 19, was widely considered to be the best prospect in the draft. He is already a plus defender with superior athleticism on the defensive end and extraordinary shot blocking ability.
Carter-Williams, 21, came on to the 76ers radar late in the evaluation process as he worked out for the team the weekend prior to the draft. The Syracuse guard rated highly on the analytic scale, which is what the Sixers are using to evaluate players under Hinkie. The Massachusetts native is lightning quick with terrific ball-handling ability. He can score from just about anywhere on the court but excels at taking the ball to the hoop. Carter-Williams is a natural point guard as his court vision is second to none.
I'm not really worried about these guys signing but I do find it peculiar that the 76ers have cap space but have not locked up these two rookies.
-Steve Dolan
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