Nick Nurse Talks Potential Impact of New 76ers Addition

What does Jeff Dowtin bring to the table for the 76ers?

Late last week, the Philadelphia 76ers created a little roster shakeup. After cutting ties with the two-way signed center Kenneth Lofton, the Sixers acquired another guard in Jeff Dowtin.

The young veteran got the promotion after spending the entire season with the Sixers’ NBA G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.

Dowtin joined the Sixers on their small road trip this week, which concluded in Brooklyn on Tuesday. Early on in the game, the former Rhode Island standout landed his first set of action in a Sixers uniform, taking advantage of a shorthanded lineup for the night.

Prior to the game, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse addressed the potential impact Dowtin could have on the Sixers. While two-way players typically struggle to land opportunities to showcase their impact to their teams, Dowtin has a bit of an advantage, considering he has experience playing for Nick Nurse.

“He’s a good basketball player, like really knows how to play,” Nurse told reporters, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I was with him. He had some really, really just solid, really solid games. He’s going to run the team. He’s a point guard, but he’s going to sneak up on you, too. He’ll get you that late shot-clock basket. He’ll get you that big three now and then. His shooting is improving and a very good defender.” 

Since going undrafted in 2020, Dowtin has made many stops across the NBA and the G League. In 2021, Dowtin had stints in the G League with the Orlando Magic and the Golden State Warriors’ affiliates. He appeared in his first NBA action with Golden State, averaging seven minutes across four games.

In 2022, Dowtin had another stint with the Magic’s organization, along with a run in Milwaukee with the Bucks’ franchise. After having just five NBA appearances through his sophomore season, Dowtin had his most notable NBA stint while playing for Nurse in Toronto last year.

With a 25-game stretch, Dowtin averaged two points and one assist while shooting 44 percent from the field and 32 percent with the Raptors. 

This year, he returned to the G League, where he has 17 appearances in the regular season with the Blue Coats. While spending an average of 32 minutes on the court, Dowtin averaged 18 points and six assists while hitting on 38 percent of his threes.