Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown and the clubs front office now are tasked with finding either an internal or external replacement for the recovering rookie Zhaire Smith. He’s expected to miss time due to a Jones fracture in his left foot. Besides affecting the short term depth of the team, the injury also presents a narrative that can’t be ignored.
Smith was acquired on a draft night trade that sent the Sixers 10th pick Mikal Bridges to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Smith who was the 16th pick and the rights to the Miami Heat’s 2021 unprotected first round pick.