The Philadelphia 76ers have made various moves in recent years, but they haven’t all worked out.
Since Daryl Morey took over in Philadelphia’s front office, the team has been trying to make some big swings and key additions to give Joel Embiid and company the best chance at winning a ring. Of course, not every move works out quite as intended.
At the 2023 trade deadline, the 76ers made a deal with the Charlotte Hornets to bring Jalen McDaniels to the squad. A solid forward, McDaniels simply never broke through as the team had hoped in Philadelphia, but his story didn’t end there.
A Fresh Start Next Season
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On Monday, ESPN’s [Shams Charania](https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1957427366650630266) reported that McDaniels is signing a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. This could be McDaniels’ last chance to stick around in the league, and New Orleans could be the perfect spot for him to get some playing time.
After his half-season with the 76ers in 2023, McDaniels spent a year in Toronto before heading to Washington, where he played four games with the Wizards last season. Considering McDaniels still hasn’t fully recovered from his struggles in a winning situation in Philadelphia, he needs to prove that he can play at this level.
While his younger brother Jaden is one of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ bright young stars, Jalen simply hasn’t found his perfect fit in the league yet. While the 76ers were quick to cut ties with him after his underwhelming couple of months in 2023, there could still be a spot for McDaniels in the league in 2025 and beyond.