Even before the Sixers learned they\u2019d be without the services of Paul George for 25 games, depth on the wing was an issue.<\/p>\n
Other than George, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Justin Edwards were the only true wing options on standard deals. Nick Nurse has experimented with three-guard and bigger lineups, but having a true wing was a need with this week\u2019s trade deadline looming. George\u2019s absence only makes it a greater need.<\/p>\n
Well, Saddiq Bey made a strong case Saturday to be the wing the Sixers should acquire.<\/p>\n
The Villanova product dropped 34 points in the New Orleans Pelicans\u2019 124-114 loss to the Sixers. He added six rebounds and three assists while looking like the Pelicans\u2019 best player for most of the night.<\/p>\n
Bey had a productive freshman season for the Wildcats, but really took off for Jay Wright and company as a sophomore, receiving the Julius Erving Award given to the nation\u2019s best small forward. Bey, now 26, was selected 19th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. He struggled with efficiency early on in his pro career, shooting below 40% from the field in his first two seasons. Playing for a then-tanking Pistons team didn\u2019t help.<\/p>\n
After a midseason trade to Atlanta in 2022-23, Bey finished the campaign strong, averaging 11.6 points and shooting over 40% from three in a mostly reserve role with the Hawks. He struggled with efficiency again in 2023-24 before tearing his ACL late in the season, causing him to miss all of 2024-25.<\/p>\n
Despite the injury, Bey signed a three-year deal with the Washington Wizards. Before playing a single game with the Wizards, he was traded to the Pelicans in the Jordan Poole deal. Though the Maryland native was surely disappointed to not suit up in D.C., the Sixers can now offer him another homecoming of sorts.<\/p>\n
So, how can he help the Sixers?<\/p>\n
Bey is listed at 6-foot-8 (with a near 7-foot wingspan) and 215 pounds. He has a strong and sturdy frame, and has the ability to play both the three and the four. The best thing about Bey is he can do a little bit of everything. He can start or come off the bench.<\/p>\n
His shooting has been inconsistent at the NBA level, but he also hasn\u2019t been in many good offensive ecosystems. This season, he\u2019s hit 34.8% from deep on 5.2 attempts per game. In his last 10 games since coming back from an injury, he\u2019s hitting 44.4% from three. He\u2019s averaging 16.5 points in 30.2 minutes per game, with the ability to create his own shot, as he displayed against the Sixers. He can make things happen with the ball in his hands while also having success as an off-ball cutter. He typically makes good decisions, averaging 2.4 assists to 0.7 turnovers per game.<\/p>\n
While he isn\u2019t a lockdown defender by any means, he can be solid within a team structure. He\u2019s also a strong rebounder off the wing, averaging 5.9 per game. His athleticism would also be a big help, as we\u2019ve seen with the youth movement the Sixers have gone to this season.<\/p>\n
His current head coach James Borrego gave a glowing endorsement ahead of Saturday\u2019s game:<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just a pro on both sides of the ball. The physicality defensively \u2014 we\u2019re bigger, stronger, we\u2019ve got more presence defensively. But offensively, he\u2019s so versatile for us right now. He\u2019s a catch-and-shoot guy, he\u2019s a drive guy downhill, we post him some, he\u2019s on the offensive boards, he\u2019s closed out games for us, he\u2019s made big shots for us. So, he covers a number of things for us offensively \u2026 He\u2019s been a real settler for us offensively. When we\u2019ve gone dry offensively, he\u2019s someone we throw the ball to and we know something good is going to happen \u2014 either get a good shot [for himself] or find somebody open on the perimeter.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard to say. Matching his 2025-26 salary ($6.1 million) would be the easy part.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s signed through next season at a very reasonable number. Combine that with his production and you\u2019re talking about more than just a couple of second-rounders. It could cost the Sixers a first \u2014 obviously, not the LA Clippers\u2019 unprotected 2028 first, but one of the team\u2019s own. New Orleans could potentially ask for someone like Jared McCain, though it\u2019s fair to wonder if McCain is a fit with rookie Jeremiah Fears moving forward.<\/p>\n