Suns’ Landry Shamet recalls time with Sixers, trade for Tobias Harris
PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers selected Landry Shamet with the 26th pick in the 2018 NBA draft and he played 54 games for the Sixers before he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in the blockbuster Tobias Harris deal at the deadline.
Shamet averaged 8.3 points and shot 40.4% from deep as a rookie in Philadelphia before the trade and as he made his return with the Phoenix Suns on Monday, he looked back on his time with the Sixers.
“It made such a big impact on me,” he said. “Every time I come back to the city it feels like it has some sense of home. It was the first place I played, they drafted me, gave me my opportunity here in the league. Grateful for that, a lot of love for the fans, always. It’s a city that has definitely made an impact on me and always grateful to come back.”
Shamet was able to play a few months with JJ Redick in Philadelphia and he was able to pick up a few pointers from him. For example, how to handle a tough night in the NBA when the shot isn’t falling for him.
“I remember I had a game in Memphis that year,” Shamet explained. “I think it was the day we traded for Jimmy (Butler) and we had like nine guys or something, a short roster, and I went like 1-for-11 from 3. I was so mad, pissed off, didn’t wanna talk to nobody, we’re in the locker room after and JJ comes up to me like ‘Dude! You got up (expletive) 11 jacks in an NBA game! (Expletive) congrats, man! That’s awesome!’ being able to bring some light into things.”
Then came the trade to the Clippers for Harris and he was viewed as the centerpiece of the deal from Philadelphia’s standpoint. He played well enough to be involved in a big trade such as this one.
“I told myself in that situation I played myself into it being a trade asset for a deal that was like that,” Shamet recalled. “That can add value to yourself for sure, but ultimately, that’s not where affirmation should be sought out. I think it’s built through what you do every day in the grand scheme of things. Either way, it happened, and that’s basketball. That’s the business of it. I’m grateful that it happened that early. Just so you can get a feel for what it’s supposed to be like, how the league is, and it all plays out the way it’s supposed to.”
Shamet struggled on Monday as he shot 0-for-4 and missed all three of his triples as Philadelphia came away with a 100-88 win.
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