Lead Writer
You learn new things everyday.
The Philadelphia 76ers traded for Royce White in early-July, and many figured new general manager Sam Hinkie made the deal on the assumption that he might be able to get some production out of the embattled former Houston Rockets forward.
The 76ers sent future consideration to the Rockets in order to acquire White and Turkish prospect Furkan Aldemir. Now, according to reports, Aldemir -- not White -- was the player Hinkie coveted.
According to the County Courier Times, the 76ers may not want Royce White around at all.
As for the embattled White, Hinkie answered a question about White’s possible role on the team generically and never mentioned White by name.White has no leverage in this situation, and it might come to an end before it even gets started.
An NBA source said the Rockets, who dealt him to the Sixers on July 6 along with a second-round pick and Turkish power forward Furkan Aldemir for future considerations and cash, are picking up the $1.7 million salary of White, who has an anxiety disorder and is afraid to fly. That means the Sixers have nothing invested in White — and that the 21-year-old Aldemir was the primary target in the deal, which the source confirmed.
White has made it clear in the summer after being dealt to Philly that he still had no intentions of flying. So, if White shows up out of shape, screaming about not flying 100 times per season, you can expect him to be waived in no time.
