SALT LAKE CITY - The 76ers took some criticism for releasing Tony Wroten on Christmas Eve. However, that wasn't their intent.
They decided to cut the backup point guard in order to create a roster spot to complete the trade for Ish Smith from the New Orleans Pelicans. They just never intended for it to happen Thursday.
The Sixers wanted to make the trade on Saturday, the day after Christmas. However, the Pelicans pushed to make it happen on Thursday. As a result, Wroten received the bad news Thursday while the Sixers were on the trade call with the Pelicans.