Sixers make deal to avoid salary cap penalties, get another 2nd round pick

Someone must have locked Sam Hinkie away in a closet today.

Perhaps it was Jerry Coangelo.

Or perhaps the Sixers are starting to think more about what to actually do in the future and less about how to collect yet-unknown assets.

Philly decided to hang on to both Nerlens Noel and Jahlil OkaforThursday, deciding to instead see what happens over the remainder of the season and offseason. With Joel Embiidand Dario Saricpossibly able to play next season along with as many as three first round picks (and perhaps a first overall selection), Hinkie, Coangelo and company are going to let things happen.

They did make one relatively small move Thursday just prior to the 3 p.m. deadline, adding yet another big man to the fold in Joel Anthony.

The 33-year old center started the day as a member of the Pistons before being traded to the Rockets, and then to the Sixers along with a second-round pick in 2017 as compensation for taking Anthony onto their payroll (and for the rights to an overseas player). This according to various NBA sources.

His salary, around $2.5 million, will get the Sixers above the salary floor. In the NBA, fines are not levied for salary floor violations until the end of the regular season.

Anthony may or may not appear in a game for the 76ers, and has played just 52 minutes in 13 games for Detroit this season. He is best remembered for being a part of the Miami Heat during the LeBron James years. He’s never scored more than 3.5 points per game in a season.