Sixers Exercise Zhaire Smith’s Third-Year Option
The Philadelphia 76ers took care of some housekeeping on Wednesday afternoon. General manager Elton Brand announced as part of a team statement that the Sixers have exercised Zhaire Smith’s third-year contract option which covers the 2020-21 season.
Smith went through somewhat of a traumatic rookie season that saw him fracture a bone in his foot and be hospitalized due to a food allergy. He lost 20+ pounds and was off the court for the majority of the season. After months of strenuous rehab, the former first-round pick played for Philadelphia’s G League affiliate in Wilmington before returning to the Sixers late in the season and appearing in six games.
Now fully healthy, Smith is ready to go for the Sixers.
Still, his role is yet to be determined. As a defensive specialist, Smith is an obvious fit for Brett Brown off the bench. That being said, he has been used sparingly through the first four preseason games. Instead, Smith has seen the vast majority of his minutes come in the fourth quarter after the starters are done. That seems unlikely to change when the Sixers play host to the Wizards in their preseason finale on Friday.
While this may come off alarming to some, it is worth noting that Smith, 20, was one of the youngest first-round picks in his draft class. He has a very raw, athletic skillset and the Sixers still see him as an important developmental project for them moving forward.
Learn more about Zhaire Smith’s deal and his future with the 76ers.
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Last season, Smith appeared in 11 games for the Delaware Blue Coats as he ramped up for his return to the Sixers. He averaged 7.2 points per game while shooting 40.5 percent from the floor. Through four of this year’s preseason games, he shooting 46.2 percent overall and and 40 percent from beyond the arc.
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