More big news out of Camden.

The Sixers sent cash considerations to the Toronto Raptors for Malachi Richardson, a 2022 second round draft pick, and the rights to Emir Preldzic, a 31 year old Bosnian guy who was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2009.

Keith Pompey was the first to report. It was a Pompey bomb. A pomp-bomb. Eat your heart out, Woj.

From the press release:

Richardson has appeared in 22 NBA games for Toronto this season, in addition to 12 contests with the team’s G League affiliate, Raptors 905. Across his 12 G League games, Richardson has averaged 20.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 35.2 minutes.

In the midst of his third NBA season, Richardson was originally selected by Charlotte with the No. 22 overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft before being dealt to Sacramento. He’s appeared in 70 career NBA games (four starts) with Toronto and Sacramento, averaging 2.8 points per contest. In 41 G League games (36 starts) over three seasons with Raptors 905 and Reno, Richardson has tallied 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 30.1 minutes per game. A native of Trenton, New Jersey, he played one collegiate season at Syracuse before entering the draft, helping lead the Orange to the 2016 Final Four after drawing a No. 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Preldžić was originally selected by Phoenix with the No. 57 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He has played professionally since 2003 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Turkey.

Feels like an old school Hinkie trade, doesn’t it? Try to find some value in the margins wherever possible.

Richardson is probably not an NBA player at this point in his career. He played 22 games for the Raptors at 4.7 MPG and shot only 31% from the floor, which is not what you’re looking for from a 23-year-old two-guard. The fourth year of his rookie contract was not exercised by the Raps.

His $1.5 million salary fits into the traded player exception leftover from from the Jimmy Butler deal, but I’m sure he’ll be moved to clear a roster spot moving forward, unless Elton Brand sees some kind of raw upside that we don’t. The Sixers would likely bring back Corey Brewer, for instance, if they get through the trade deadline without making another significant move, but Amir Johnson and Furkan Korkmaz are the primary candidates for waiving at this point.

If there’s something more to this trade, I’m not sure. You could certainly take the second rounder and package it into another deal, absolutely. Toronto cleared a roster spot with the move, and there have been rumors that they’re shopping Kyle Lowry as they sniff around to see if they can improve going into the final third of the season.

We shall see!