By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following rumors concerning his future with the Philadelphia 76ers, Furkan Korkmaz will move on to the Indiana Pacers.
The deal between the NBA teams a few hours before the trade deadline is centered on Bahamian Buddy Hield, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Trading him to the Sixers compensates the Pacers with Korkmaz, Marcus Morris, and three second-round draft picks, as noted.
Korkmaz, 26, made 361 appearances with the 76ers over seven seasons. However, playing time was reduced drastically over the last two years, prompting a possible change of scenery as the best option for both sides. In the 2023-24 Regular Season, he tallied 2.5 points per contest behind 39.5% from the field. On a contract season, eagerness to display his abilities heading to the free-agent market this summer can benefit the team coached by Rick Carlisle in the hunt for a berth in the Playoffs.
One year before moving his talents to Philadelphia, the Turkish swingman was selected with the 26th pick in the 2016 NBA draft. Coming out of the junior team of Anadolu Efes, he was featured in 40 contests of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague across three seasons, 19 in 2014-15, 19 in 2015-16, and two more in 2016-17. Loaned to Banvit for the bottom end of the 2016-17 season, he impressed with 10.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per contest over ten games played in the inaugural season of the Basketball Champions League.
Representing Turkiye at the senior level is highlighted by participating in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. He also competed in the 2015, 2017, and 2022 editions of EuroBasket.
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