The 76ers have acquired 32-year old power forward Darius Songaila and 22-year old rookie power forward Craig Brackins from the Hornets for 29-year old SG Willie Green and 24-year old power forward Jason Smith. Songaila played in 75 games (1 start) for the Hornets last season and he averaged 18.8 minutes, 7.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. He has now played in 485 games (79 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 18.9 minutes, 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Songaila will likely backup Thaddeus Young at power forward this year. Rookie 6’10″, 230 pound Craig Brackins was a first round pick in the NBA Draft last June. He played in 31 games at Iowa State last season and he averaged 35.1 minutes, 16.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game. Brackins played in 95 games in his three years at Iowa State and he averaged 31.8 minutes, 16.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocked shot per game. Brackins has a nice upside but the Sixers will likely bring him along slowly do to the depth they have in front of him.
Wille Green played in 73 games (18 starts) for the 76ers last season and he averaged 21.3 minutes, 8.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He played in 422 games (211 starts) in his 7 years with the Sixers and he averaged 21.8 minutes, 9.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Jason Kapono and Jodie Meeks will see a bump in minutes with Green off to the Big Easy. Jason Smith played in 56 games (2 starts) for the Sixers last year and he averaged 11.8 minutes, 3.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He played in 132 games (3 starts) in his three years with the Sixers and he averaged 13.4 minutes, 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. Songaila will replace Smith this year and Brackins will get his big chance down the road. I like this trade for the Sixers as Brackins could be a good player down the road.
