<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia 76ers waived forwards Deng Gai and James Thomas on Thursday. Gai, a 6-foot-9 rookie forward, was signed by the Sixers as a free agent and played in just two games this season. Thomas, a 6-8 forward, played in 15 games, averaging 1.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 8.3 minutes.</div> Source
That's good. That's am indication that the Barnes deal is very close to being done and there might potentially be a trade soon. Hopefully it's something other than a possible Eric Williams trade because this team needs more than him and Barnes.
Neither of them really impressed me except for maybe Gai with his preseason play. Other than that, they're pretty much expendable.
the only thing im dissapointed about is the sixers releasing gai. he's still very young and raw and IMO he's a poor man's samuel dalembert. but if we get eric williams, ill be happy.
Well somebody had to go, but I didn't think two players would be cut just to bring in Matt Barnes. Maybe that is an indication that another move is coming up? Williams for a draft pick maybe?
I wouldn't mind keeping Gai around as a long term project, but he's not ready to play this year, in my opinon... except garbage minutes. I prayed every time Thomas was on the court for us that he didn't get the ball, because he was worthless on offense... and his free throws sucked as well. Atleast Barnes can hopefully take some defensive pressure off of Iguodala at times if needed... Michael Bradley is better than James Thomas and Deng Gai, he's just been slowed down by that knee injury that he suffered in the preseason. Honestly, I don't know what to think of us cutting two players just to add Barnes (which is definitely happening, by the way). Is it because Billy has another free agent deal secured? Is it because he's got a trade in the works in which we're bringing in an extra player? Is it just to save money and make sure we're under the luxury tax even after we sign Barnes? Hopefully all these questions will be answered soon enough.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldn't mind keeping Gai around as a long term project, but he's not ready to play this year, in my opinon... except garbage minutes. I prayed every time Thomas was on the court for us that he didn't get the ball, because he was worthless on offense... and his free throws sucked as well. Atleast Barnes can hopefully take some defensive pressure off of Iguodala at times if needed...</div> Is Gai really that much of a project? He's twenty three years old already but fairly raw so I don't really know what to consider him really. I mean, he lacks a lot of fundamentals as it is and I'm not sure if the organization really wants to take the time to develop his game since it doesn't seem like he has too much potential. We'll never know how good he'll be, but at least Williams has the whole young factor going for him.
good point aznx, but to all who are happy about us getting, or possibly getting matt barnes, dont expect much out of him. after all, he couldnt keep himself on the knick's roster.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">good point aznx, but to all who are happy about us getting, or possibly getting matt barnes, dont expect much out of him. after all, he couldnt keep himself on the knick's roster.</div> True, but I see him getting around six points and four rebounds for us. It gives our starters a bit more of rest instead of Gai or Thomas who basically played garbage minutes. Brown in New York played him sparingly and at times didn't play him at all with that whack rotation of his so a lot of the players aren't really sure of their roles. Could Barnes be this case? Who knows, but he did have some nice games in the limited minutes that he had there.
I think that Barnes could be better in Philly then he was in New York. Like Aznx said, in New York he didn;'t play much because there were better players in front of him.
Semebody had to go and I agree with ^. Barnes didn't have the chance to play, I think you let him play a he'll give 4-5 points per game.
There has to be some little trade in the works after waiving 2 players instead of just Barnes. I was suprised seeing Thomas go after all the PT he got, but I guess those were just tests for him. As for Gai, I was hoping to see him stick around, seeing what he could provide, but he just wasn`t up to par I guess.
I liked Thomas here actually. HE gave our team some toughness to it and that was a good thing in my books. I wasn't impressed with Gai though. I really wish we kept Thomas however.
I liked Thomas and thought he did a nice job as a rebounder/bruiser inside...I think he'll catch on somewhere else because he takes pride in hustling and doing the dirty work...
