The Sixers got their biggest priority taken care of quickly after LeBron James signed with the Lakers.

JJ Redick is back with the team on another one-year deal worth $12-13 million. That means the starting five from a year ago is reunited.

Now comes replenishing the bench. There’s reportedly been some interest in the ageless Jamal Crawford. He’s 38, but he’s a tremendous shooter. Minnesota’s Nemanja Bjelica could be a great replacement for Ersan Ilyasova as a power forward. Houston’s Luc Mbah a Moute, a former Sixer, is also a possible candidate as a two-way wing. Maybe even Tyreke Evans and Wayne Ellington are possibilities, as well as restricted free agent Jabari Parker.

We’ll see what Brett Brown does with the market. But for now, take a look at Zhaire Smith, who just signed his first NBA contract.

Here are some other signings from the second day of free agency:

  • SG Avery Bradley, Clippers, 2 years $25 million
  • PG Elfrid Payton, Pelicans, 1 year $2.7 million
  • PF Derrick Favors, Jazz, 2 years $36 million
  • PF Mike Scott, Clippers, 1 year
  • PG Rajon Rondo, Lakers, 1 year $9 million
  • PF Julius Randle, Pelicans, 2 years $18 million
  • PG/SG Seth Curry, Trail Blazers, 2 years (player option) $5.6 million
  • C Nerlens Noel, Thunder, 2 years veteran minimum
  • F Anthony Tolliver, Timberwolves, 1 year $5-6 million
  • PF/C DeMarcus Cousins, Warriors, 1 year $5.3 million

Thanks Adam Silver.

The Roundup:


The Phillies had a day off, unless you were Gabe Kapler:

We also found a Jake Thompson burner account. Jake Thompson, of all people.

Zach Eflin will take the mound in tonight’s two-game series opener against the Orioles. You can thank his early struggles for his recent success:

But it was those struggles, and the lessons provided, that made his tremendous performance last month possible. Eflin won all five of his starts and totaled a 1.76 ERA in June, with 28 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings. He started the season in triple A but has emerged as a key piece of a starting rotation that is helping the Phillies defy expectations.

“You can take it however you want,” Eflin said of his June production. “But I always felt that I belonged here regardless of how I had thrown. That’s the feeling I always had. But to go out there and put up a very good month is definitely rewarding.”

Eflin had a 5.85 ERA through his first 22 major-league starts, but sprinkled in those struggles were glimpses of what he showed in June. He pitched two complete games in July 2016, a month before his surgery. He logged seven innings in three straight starts last season, and three weeks later, he gave up 22 runs over 15 innings.

Eflin, even when times were rough, offered some promise. His knees proved to be too much of a challenge. In 2016, it was the pain. In 2017, it was the recovery from the surgery, which hindered the way he prepared for the season. And now, 23 months after surgery, he is finally healthy. He has since gained 25 pounds and hopes to add 15 to 20 more.

Tonight’s game is at 7:05 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Get your tickets now with our good friends at TicketIQ! Also, make sure to listen to the latest episode of Crossed Up.


Development camp wrapped up yesterday for the Flyers with their annual 3-on-3 tournament. Team Clarke, which had first round pick Joel Farabee, won the whole thing.

Farabee, along with forwards Morgan Frost and Pascal Laberge and goalie Carter Hart, also made impressions during camp.


Doug Pederson keeps winning off the field. He won a golf bet against Saints head coach Sean Payton which will allow the Eagles to wear their home green jerseys inside the Superdome in November. He also got some New Orleans food.


In the FIFA World Cup, Brazil and Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals. Belgium was down 2-0 in the 52nd minute, but stormed back to tie things up and score in the final seconds of added time:

Today, in the final pair of Round of 16 games, Sweden plays Switzerland at 10 AM on FS1, while Colombia takes on England at 2 PM on Fox.

In other sports news, there was a huge FIBA fight yesterday, which included Thon Maker throwing kicks.

Jay Cutler says he’s “probably” retired.

Cristiano Ronaldo was offered €120m to join Juventus.


In the news, a huge water main break left part of Center City a muddy mess.

A soccer team trapped in a cave in Thailand for 10 days have been found alive. But they still need to get out.

Amazon Prime Day is set for July 16.