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CAMDEN, N.J. – Sixers general manager Elton Brand is not done dealing.
At Jimmy Butler, Justin Patton, Brand unsurprisingly said he plans to fill the spot on the Sixers' roster. But he's not going to rush to make another trade.
"Despite what's been reported, we're going to take a look at the landscape," he said. "We feel like we can actually add an important piece with that roster spot, so we're not in a rush. Nothing is imminent right now, but we think we can do that and we need to help our team. "
Brand may have been referring to the reports of the Sixers with Kyle Korver. Though Furkan Korkmaz has been impressed in the Sixers' last two games, with a back-to-back career in scoring and a combined 28 points on 9 for 17 shooting, Korver is a proven NBA shooter. In his 15-plus seasons, Korver is a 43.1 percent three-point shooter, and he's had the best percentage in the league four times. His 2,225 career three-point makes fourth-most in NBA history.
Six-point attempts by Robert Covington and Dario Saric. Butler is a capable long-range shooter (35.4 percent over the last four-plus seasons), though he said Tuesday it's not one of his greatest strengths.
The Sixers are 22nd in the NBA in three-point percentage at 33.7 percent. JJ Redick has recently been branded, but it is still a little bit more expensive than that, if it is Korver or someone else.
"The way we like to play, shooting is at a premium," said Brand. "We need shooting. We absolutely will evaluate the market and see what's out there. We're getting tons of calls but nothing is imminent. We have not decided, 'Hey, this is the player for us now.' But that open roster spot can pay some big dividends. "
For Brand, patience paid off with the Butler trade. He mentioned that he had daily phone calls with Timberwolves general manager Scott Layden. Minnesota reportedly passed on a number of attractive deals from other teams, including the Heat's offer of promising wing Josh Richardson and a first-round pick (see story), before eventually accepting Brand's deal.
"It's tough to get these superstar players, All-Star level talent, as we know," said Brand. "I talked with a GM, he was waiting for a certain player for three years … he did not even get a sit-down with him. Jimmy Butler, four-time All-Star, one of the best players in the NBA, I feel I had to pounce. "
Complementary pieces, however, tend to be easier to acquire. Unless a bargain trade materializes.
"I'm taking my time," he said. "This is a step towards getting to the Finals, in my opinion. The championship talk is a little premature for me. But this is definitely a step in that direction. There's still work to do. Maybe not trades or anything like that, but we have an open roster and we're definitely going to be our team. "
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