Philadelphia 76ers: Complete 2018 offseason grades

DENVER, CO - APRIL 3: Wilson Chandler #21 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Indiana Pacers on April 3, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Trading down for Zhaire Smith

The Sixers originally selected Mikal Bridges out of Villanova with the 10th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. They ended up trading Bridges to the Phoenix Suns for guard Zhaire Smith and a future draft pick (the Miami Heat’s unprotected 2021 first-rounder). Smith, a 6’4″ guard out of Texas Tech, gives Philadelphia another potential scorer in the backcourt. He shot 55.6 percent from the field in his lone season of college basketball.

Smith’s progress hit a snag over the summer, however, when he suffered a Jones fracture in his left foot at a development camp in Las Vegas. He’s expected to miss significant time, making his availability for the beginning of the 2018-19 season uncertain.

“The Process” has seen its fair share of injuries, but the rehab process has also worked in favor of the Sixers. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are the latest proof that there’s no rush when it comes to suffering injuries of this nature. With the organization he has around him, Smith has no reason to worry, although Philadelphia fans may be fretting about that Mikal Bridges trade right about now.

Grade: B