NBA Philadelphia 76ers

K.J. McDaniels Proving To Be Asset With Sixers, Yet Future There Uncertain

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By @TheSizzle20

K.J. McDaniels

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One of the first selections in the second round of the stacked 2014 NBA Draft was K.J. McDaniels who went to the rebuilding Philadelphia 76ers. Given his production at the college level, McDaniels seemed like a steal as a second-rounder and early on in his NBA career that continues to ring true.

Through 16 games and 16 losses for the abysmal 76ers, McDaniels has really been the most consistent bright spot for this team. His per-36 minute averages of 15.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from three make him one of the top-performing rookies in the league to this point.

The way McDaniels can attack the game on both ends of the floor at just 21 years old and in his first year in the league is something to behold. Even saddled with such a poor and frustrating team right now, he’s managing to shine through and look like a player who will be a valuable asset in the league for years to come.

Though the Sixers obviously view him in that regard as well while they continue their massive deconstruction and rebuild, there are some clear warning signs that McDaniels might not be a piece they can count on having around for the future.

McDaniels took an unconventional route when signing his rookie deal, electing to ink a contract that will allow him to become a free agent after this season. Beyond that, his mother has taken to Twitter on numerous occasions to express her issues with the 76ers organization and tanking while having less-than-kind things to say.

While you can’t read too much into things like this, there are seeds planted for McDaniels to look elsewhere in the NBA for work after the season. While the lowly 76ers give him the opportunity to flex his prowess this early in his career, they also cast a bit of a shadow over him considering the substantial lack of success with this team. Though everything is speculative at this point, this could be the first time that the Sixers’ master plan backfires on them a bit.

Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20, add him on Google and like his Facebook page.

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