Arnett Moultrie Injury Opens up Competition at 76ers Training Camp

Howard Smith – USA Today Sports

With the roster overhaul that the Philadelphia 76ers took in this past season combined with the lack of elite NBA players on the roster, this was going to be Arnett Moultrie‘s chance to prove he was worth the draft day trade that the team constructed to acquire him.

Moultrie had finally escaped the evil clutches of Doug Collins and his refusal to play rookies even when they are more talented than some of the veterans on the roster. He had a new coach and a clean slate and was ready to either start or be one of the first guys off the bench in 2013. However, the injury bug bit him again for the second time in his two seasons. This time it is an ankle injury that is going to keep him out until at least January, and it is a crushing blow for Moultrie and for the Sixers.

Moultrie was pretty good during his rookie season with limited playing time averaging 3.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 58.2 percent shooting in only 11.5 minutes per game. Moultrie was one of the few players on the roster last year that really attacked the rim and was aggressive rebounding the basketball.

Now this injury puts the Sixers in a delicate situation for this year and beyond. For the present it means more playing time for Lavoy Allen, who disappears on the court at times. It also means they will have to ask for a legitimate contribution from Royce White and Gani Lawal until Moultrie, Nerlens Noel or Kwame Brown is able to return from injury.

For the long-term plans now Sam Hinkie will only have about two months of gameplay to decide if he wants to offer the two-year team option to Moultrie. It’s another small sample size, and Moultrie will have to show something in only a handful of games to be a part of this team next year. It’s going to be tough, but Moultrie will have to work his way into game shape and show he can contribute right away for the chance to stick around.

Zach Slotter is a contributor for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @zslot6, Like his Facebook page and add him on Google.