Sixers Keeper or Not? Malcolm Thomas

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During the NBA All-Star break, we'll take a look at some of the Sixers’ newcomers and their prospects for the future with the team.

Malcolm Thomas
Height: 6-9
Weight: 225
Position: Power forward

Strengths and weaknesses
Malcolm Thomas? When did the Sixers get him?

Actually, the much-traveled Thomas has been signed by the Sixers twice this season. The first time was shortly after Thomas was traded from Utah to Cleveland and then from the Cavs to the Celtics, who released him. He opened the season with the Sixers, appeared in five games and was released again.

The Sixers signed Thomas again on Dec. 23 and he’s been with the team ever since.

But one wouldn't know about Thomas by simply looking for his name in the box score. He's been here for 34 games but has as many appearances (17) as DNP-CDs. He last played on Jan. 24, logging five minutes during the loss in Memphis.

Though Thomas hasn’t seen much court time this season, his tenure with the Sixers is a welcome reprieve from all of the bouncing around he’s done since turning pro in 2011. The Sixers are Thomas’ 14th team and seventh NBA organization. He was a D-League All-Star in 2014 for the Spurs’ affiliate (Austin Toros) and was All-Defense in the MWC in 2011 for San Diego State.

Defense is Thomas’ forte, though with just 11.4 minutes per game in 17 appearances, there hasn’t been much of a need for it.

Performance so far
There hasn’t been much of a body of work to go on. Thomas’ best statistical game came in the Sixers' 40-point loss to the Warriors on Dec. 30, when he scored 10 points and had eight rebounds in 17 minutes.

Secure or need to see more?
Obviously, Thomas has been around and it’s clear that teams like what he has to offer. However, on a team where playing time and opportunities to crack the lineup are plentiful, Thomas is a roster filler. If there was more to see, we’d see Thomas on the floor more often.

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