Philadelphia 76ers: Acquiring Royce White Was a Bonehead Decision


 

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers acquired former Houston Rockets forward Royce White via trade on Saturday and have gotten themselves way in over their head. Philadelphia will send future draft considerations to Houston in exchange for White and 2012 draft pick  Furkan Aldemir.

While this offseason has not gone ideally for Sixers fans, there could still be hope for the future with guys like Nerlens Noel and Michael Carter-Williams giving the team young and exciting additions with potential. This trade for White, however, was one of the more head-scratching moves of the summer so far and does not help the team whatsoever.

White spent all of last year without playing a single game for the Rockets. The team and White had a plan in place to work on his diagnosed anxiety disorder that has caused him trouble dealing with the likes of an NBA schedule.

Houston suspended White last year after he refused to accept an assignment to Rio Grande Valley in the NBADL (NBA Development League).

Often lashing out to the team on Twitter and criticizing the Rockets for how they apparently mishandled his situation last year, White was constantly disgruntled.

This is not a good sign for Philadelphia. I am not quite sure what they were thinking when they decided to trade for White. He does have a ton of potential and athleticism at the forward position, but is it worth the headache? At this point, with the young and athletic core they’re developing, it just might be.

On the other hand, White’s mental issues could wind up harming the team and the direction they are trying to go. He’s still young and could end up helping the Sixers, but right now I am not a fan of the trade whatsoever.

Ryan Heckman is a Senior NBA Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter  @ryanmheckman, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.



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