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Philadelphia 76ers Acquire Nik Stauskas, Contracts From Sacramento Kings

By Jake Hyman

April 3, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Nik Stauskas (10) dribbles the basketball during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Sleep Train Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 3, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Nik Stauskas (10) dribbles the basketball during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Sleep Train Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Kings 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia 76ers have in fact entered the offseason chatter in the first day of free agency. Per Adrian Wojnarowski, the team has acquired shooting guard Nik Stauskas, power forward Jason Thompson, and power forward Carl Landry in an attempt for the Sacramento Kings to shed significant salary.

Philadelphia gives up a future second-round pick and the rights to Arturas Gudaitas and Luka Mitrovic, via Pablo S. Torre of ESPN, who were selected No. 47 and No. 60, respectively, in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft.

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Also in the deal, which could be the kicker in the major asset accumulation process, is that the Sixers also will receive a top-10 protected pick and the rights to swap first-round picks in two future drafts per Zach Lowe of Grantland.

Wojnarowski also reported that other teams have been interested in the Canadian sharpshooter. Stauskas had been on the block as early as last season’s trade deadline and the organization decided to cut ties with the former No. 8 overall pick.

He struggled to find playing time initially in his rookie season and never found that stroke he possessed as a sophomore at Michigan. Averaging a modest 4.4 points per game on 36 percent shooting from the floor, Stauskas will be able to showcase his knock-down ability that enticed organizations. Brett Brown was hoping to land the 2 guard in the 2014 draft and now has his wish.

Stauskas also is a flashy athlete who can attack off the dribble and throw it down at times. His shooting woes should be an anomaly as his prowess from the perimeter fueled his stock coming into the league.

At just 21, there’s plenty of growth for the player they call “Sauce Castillo.” Whether he keeps that moniker in Philadelphia remains to be seen. Competing with Hollis Thompson for the starting shooting guard spot, we’ll see if Stauskas has a new spark joining the organization.

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New Jersey native Thompson was set to make just more than $6.4 million, per spotrac salaries, for the Kings this season but instead will try to earn a spot in Brett Brown’s frontcourt rotation.

Thompson, a former first round pick in 2008, averaged a career-low 6.1 ppg. while shooting just 47 percent in the 2014-2015 season. He can be a board cleaner on the second unit, but his offensive game limits his usage. It will be interesting to see if the Sixers retain his former teammate in Thomas Robinson or decide to keep Thompson who brings a similar skill set.

Landry is a locker room figure who brings a tireless work ethic and role player skills in his ninth year in the Association. Like Thompson, Landry’s contract is on the books until the 2017-2018 and is making $6.5 million per Spotrac.

After a breakthrough 2009-10 season in which the Purdue product put up a career-high 16.8 points while shooting 53.7 percent from the floor, his role diminished.

A once go-to interior talent, Landry still has a motor GM’s covet and can guide the talent laded bigs on the block similar to what Jason Richardson provided the team last season. He’d fit more ideally with a contender, but will have a role on the Sixers as either an energy guy or a valuable mentor.

Sacramento gets a chance at top free agents still on the market wanting to join DeMarcus Cousins. The trade opens up gobs of cap space and opportunities Sac-Town once lacked in this journey to acquire marquee talent.

While it seemed unlikely Philadelphia would join the free agency festivities, they got a valuable commodity the organization is high on (Stauskas) and two bigs who have vital experience (Thompson and Landry).

The future assets in terms of picks is ideal for the organization and gives the Sixers more options down the road. Philadelphia has been under scrutiny recently over the Jrue Holiday fiasco and rumors of teams unwilling to aid the rebuild. A trade in the first day of free agency should qualm any doubts that the team is still a viable destination for talent.

Next: 5 Potential Trade Destinations For David Lee

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