The 76ers have high hopes for Zhaire Smith being a part of the future in Philadelphia — but he’s not going to be a part of the league’s restart in Orlando.
The second-year guard out suffered a bone bruise in his knee and is now not headed to Orlando, something reported by Serena Winters of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Tough news for Zhaire Smith.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) June 30, 2020
I'm told he has a bone bruise in his left knee, and will not travel to Orlando.
Per source, Smith started experiencing pain prior to PHI resuming workouts last week & started treatment immediately.
(He is expected to make a full recovery).
Smith was experiencing pain before reporting to the Sixers’ facility, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. Smith has struggled to stay healthy since being drafted, missing most of his rookie season with a Jones fracture in his foot.
Smith is expected to make a full recovery and be ready next season.
This does not impact the Sixers rotations heading into the restart, Smith only played in seven games with the 76ers this season (he did play in 28 for the Sixers’ G League team, the Delaware Blue Coats).
Philadelphia heads to Orlando as the sixth seed in the East but tied with Orlando as the five seed. Philly will have a healthy Ben Simmons, and coach Brett Brown is reportedly leaning toward starting Shake Milton — bringing Al Horford off the bench — to give the team more shooting.
