Sixers’ Korkmaz Frustrated Over Lack of Playing Time
The Philadelphia 76ers (4-4) fell to the Toronto Raptors (7-1) on the road Tuesday night and while there were plenty of issues resulting from undisciplined basketball, the utter lack of shooters on this team is becoming an issue.
The Sixers field a backcourt with two guys who don't actively try and shoot. Ben Simmons almost refuses to do so and Markelle Fultz is still figuring it out. It doesn't help that Dario Saric is starting the year off painfully slow, which is limiting the starting lineup's efficiency as well. Although the Sixers acquired some depth over the offseason, they are still without versatile wing players and second-year guard Furkan Korkmaz thinks he should get a chance to show he can help with that that.
"I just left my country to come here and to play here," Korkmaz told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I just want to play. Then I feel like I'm ready to play. That's why I looking for an opportunity to play."
The Sixers drafted Korkmaz at the end of the first round of 2016. He spent a season overseas before coming over last season. He rarely played outside of garbage time and a foot injury kept him sidelined as well. Korkmaz looked impressive in Summer League and the FIBA World Qualifiers scoring-wise, but it hasn't been enough to earn him a spot in Brett Brown's rotation. According to Pompey, Korkmaz would prefer to go elsewhere if he isn't played.
A source said Korkmaz wants to be traded over lack of playing time. He would not confirm nor deny that on Tuesday.
The Sixers have reportedly declined to pick up Korkmaz's third-year option, per Keith Pompey. He's currently behind rookie Landry Shamet on the depth chart.