

CSN Philly - Jerry Colangelo explains Sixers' outlook as trade deadline nears - Camerato

NBA.com - On the Beat: Colangelo Visits to Discuss State of Team with Hinkie, Brown - Seltzer

There were some very, very interesting comments made today by Hinkie and Colangelo. I decided to break them up into groups for convenience. Apologies in advance for formatting errors and different fonts.

Trade Deadline:

"In terms of trade, we’re not actively out there looking to make a trade. But you always have to be open. Things happen usually right around All-Star break. There’s a week or 10 days when there’s a lot of discussion. It may lead to nothing, and I think right now we’re kind of content to say there are too many question marks about certain players, health, and so forth that you have to be very careful. You have to be very selective. Timing’s everything." - Colangelo

"There’s so many variables that are involved. That’s why the more you talk about it, the more you meet, the more different opinions there are, it’s very healthy. I think the dialogue has been great." - Colangelo

"I think the core group is a little bit more stable than what you might’ve seen in the past. At the same time, our job is to always look for ways to improve the team. So we’ve got to remain open-minded. No one likes a revolving door but at the same time, our job is to build a team that can compete deep into May and June. That will require lots of tough decisions, probably more to come." - Hinkie

"Our team feels reasonably stable. We’ll look for opportunities to upgrade it, like every team of course. We’re still friendly with lots of teams around the league that might be over the tax and might need some help. We’ve been helpful to teams in that situation in the past. I think we’ll continue to be there. And then we’ll try to set us up for the offseason as well. If there are big things we can do, I think we’ve shown we’re not afraid to do something big and maybe do something big that other people don’t expect. But coming in, I think we’ll try to do all the same work and see what opportunities come our way." - Hinkie

On Direction of "The Process":

"It’s a big principle of mine that if it’s not my job, whose is it to be looking to be looking out into the future? We had a meeting [Tuesday] morning about the next five years of trade targets, and the next five years of free agency, and what that looks like, and how to put the pieces in place that can give you a chance to make, not just a first move on the chessboard, but the last move. That’s really critical. I know that sounds sort of far off. Someone like me has to be willing to look around the bend at how we can actually get to where we’re trying to go."- Hinkie

"There's a lot of things that we want to continue to discuss regarding the future. We’re looking at the trade deadline, the draft, it’s an ongoing process. So when people are looking for answers like, ‘What are you going to do?,’ it’s just too early to speculate. We just keep looking at options, and I think the good news is, just after a few weeks, there’s been a real improvement, and I think that’s a plus. I see it in practice, just the attitude of the players is much more positive. I think that’s important, especially with a young group, that there’s something to cling to." - Colangelo

On Overall Improvements Noted:

""It’s just more information. That’s all I would say at this point. It’s all helpful. If we still had one win, it would be a whole different story. It’s not the case. It was like before Ish and after Ish. You look at two seasons so far. I think after he came, just his presence made a major, major difference. So let’s ride it." - Colangelo

"The game [Saturday] night against Golden State, you know, those are steps," said Colangelo. "You’ve got to get over another hump, and that is when you have a chance to win a game like that, you got to win the game. Not quite ready for prime time, but it’s the process. It really is. Young guys getting experience, and getting a taste of winning. And so I think things are really looking a heck of a lot better today than they were a month ago." - Colangelo

On Okafor and Noel:

"For me it’s still too early to see how that plays out. Everyone is optimistic (about Embiid). But we still have to find out whether he can play, will he hold up. So right now, that’s a strength as we relate to the three bigs. But at some point, you have to make a decision on what to do, how to do it. If Nerlens could be a power forward that could be a different story. Right now, his natural position is he’s a center. He’s a rim protector. He is who he is." - Colangelo

"As you go forward and try to analyze this thing — what the best combination? Who complements one another? How do you surround the player? You look at Okafor, you look at what he can do and his deficiencies. How do you surround him to protect? You see how that all plays out. I’m interested to see how guys play now until the end of the season. People like to talk about here’s the trade deadline. That’s going to come and that’s going to go. We still have to play X number of games before the end of the season. That’s all part of the analysis in terms of what we do relative to the draft, free agency and other options at the end of the year." - Colangelo

On Ish Smith:

"I think he has shown he has the capacity to do a lot more than maybe where he was picked. He’s bounced around quite a bit, and it’s a great story that finally maybe he’s landed somewhere where he could do a lot more than fit that description or that role. I would say this. A month ago, we really had a big need. That need is a lot less today because of what he’s shown he’s capable of doing." - Colangelo

On Carl Landry:

"I’ve always felt this way about players on a roster — they are our players, and they are our players until they are not," Colangelo said. "So again, unless you are actively looking to make changes, then that’s different. Carl, even in the games that I’ve seen and witnessed, he’s made contributions when he’s been called upon. So for the time being, I don’t see any change." - Colangelo

On Feedback from Club Supporters:

"They want hope. Everybody wants to look forward to the better times that are coming. They will come." - Colangelo

Give us your hot takes after you parse these words with a fine-tooth comb!