Rockets' McHale sees 'good potential' in McDaniels

DALLAS - K.J. McDaniels wasn't with his new team in Dallas, but he will be soon enough. The 6-foot-6, 205-pound swingman was dealt from the 76ers to the Houston Rockets at Thursday's trade deadline for Isaiah Canaan and a second- round pick.

Houston was playing in Dallas on Friday against the Mavericks and will return home Saturday to host the Toronto Raptors.

"He is in Houston now and we will see him tomorrow," Rockets coach Kevin McHale said after Friday morning's shootaround.

For the Sixers, McDaniels averaged 9.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per game. He was the ACC defensive player of the year last season for Clemson, and defense was one of his strengths with the Sixers.

On a veteran Rockets team, playing time is not expected to be as plentiful. Still McHale is keeping an open mind.

"K.J. is just a young guy, a great athlete from watching him," McHale said. "I just think there is good potential for him to be a hell of a defender, a hell of a rebounder, at his size, and I think we have stuff to work on."

McHale said McDaniels, 22, obviously needs seasoning.

"As with most young guys he is not a finished product," McHale said. "He is a guy we will see what he does and see what he needs to work on and will develop a program for him, and we will try to see if we can make him the best basketball player he can be."

Also in Dallas, former Sixers coach and current SMU coach Larry Brown indicated that the Sixers have taken a strong liking to Emmanuel Mudiay. The 6-foot-5 point guard, 18, had committed to SMU before deciding to play in China.

In talking about the trade of Michael Carter-Williams to Milwaukee, Brown mentioned the Sixers' interest in Mudiay.

"[Carter-Willilams] was rookie of the year and I know they have been interested in Emmanuel, and I thought, man, that is a backcourt made in heaven because they are both long and athletic," Brown said. ". . . I want to help in any way I can because I am sure it is obvious [Mudiay] is on their radar, and when the time comes I know the kid as well as anybody and would be happy to help."