Trade season is on the horizon and the Sixers are expected to be one of the most active teams. After a pathetic effort in the playoffs, Philadelphia has no choice but to move on and attempt to revamp the team.
With the search for a new coach started after the team moved on from Head Coach Brett Brown, the next step is the roster. There are many names linked to Sixers but some just make more sense than others. Before we get into that special group though here are some honorable mentions:
Honorable Mentions the Sixers Could Add
Harrison Barnes
Barnes is a simple two-way forward who can guard positions 2-4 and by all accounts is an absolute high character human being.
According to his former coach Rick Carlise, “…[Barnes] was a strong voice and a conscious for young kids, young people, and he stands for all the right things.”
If the Sixers can get him in addition to more talent, then Barnes would be a welcome addition. If he is the only addition, well that means the Sixers just sold low on Al Horford.
Kevin Love
Kevin Love is a fine basketball player, an expensive one but that only means he would fit right in for the Sixers.
A floor-spacing big man, Love would provide what the Sixers (probably) hoped Al Horford could next to Joel Embiid. The issue though, like with Barnes, is that if the Sixers only (or most prominent) addition is Kevin Love, then they are in serious trouble next season.
At least we could bring back “Show Ya Love”.
Kyle Lowry
The Philadelphia native has long been rumored to be a trade target for the 76ers. Considered by some to be a hard-nosed no-nonsense guard and by others a flopper, Lowry would have a mixed reception should he come home.
While a capable shooter, a proven defender, and, like it or not, a great leader, Lowry would be far more expensive than he’s worth. Any deal would obviously start with either Tobias Harris or Al Horford and go on to add some combination of Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton, or a first-round pick(s).
Just not worth it for a 34-year-old guard on the last year of his deal who would absolutely not get along with Ben Simmons.
Jrue Holiday
I love myself a good Jrue Holiday to Philly rumor, to the point of irrationality. The hard truth though is that without giving up Matisse Thybulle or Shake Milton, the Sixers just can’t compete with the other bidders.
Is he worth Milton or Thybulle? Yeah probably, but are there other good players who won’t cost the Sixers their youth? Definitely.
Top Five Stars the Sixers Could Add
5. Spencer Dinwiddie
Spencer Dinwiddie checks a lot of boxes for the Sixers. Ball-handler, distributor, certified bucket-getter. The scoring combo guard fits this team like a glove and could be the third-wheel the Sixers have been pining for.
While trading Dinwiddie to a division rival likely won’t be Brooklyn’s first choice, for the right package they’d be foolish to pass up
Brooklyn Receives: Tobias Harris and Shake Milton
Philadelphia Receives: Spencer Dinwiddie, Garrett Temple, and Taurean Prince
4. Victor Oladpio
The curious case of Victor Oladipo. Once considered a rising star in the NBA, injuries have slowed down his ascension but he still has all-star potential.
The Pacers are in an interesting position as they have no clear star (maybe Sabonis) and very little money to play with. They ran an old-school, mid-range offense last season and yet in-spite of all of this, they found success. Granted they were swept in the first round but that was by a Heat team that just eliminated the Bucks in five games.
It’s hard to get a beat on this team but one thing is clear, they are motivated by money, or rather their lack thereof.
The Indiana Pacers may want to trade Oladipo or they may not, but they might have to either way.
Indiana Receives: Josh Richardson, Mike Scott, Furkan Korkmaz, Zhaire Smith, and the 21st overall pick
Philadelphia Receives: Victor Oladipo and T.J. McConnell
3. Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine would be the Sixers’ most expensive target and that’s okay. At 25 years years of age and the highest points-per-game average of anyone on this list, he would certainly be worth it.
LaVine shot an impressive 38% from three on an even more impressive eight attempts per game. Both those numbers surpass Devin Booker, Tobias Harris, Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, CJ McCollum, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, and Chris Paul. An accurate, volume three-point shooter is at the top of the Sixers’ list (or at least should be).
LaVine has been vocal this past season about his unhappiness in Chicago. While it’s doubtful Chicago is hoping to trade him, it may not be up to them for much longer.
The high-flyer doesn’t add much in the way of defense but on a team with Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Matisse Thybulle, he won’t have to.
Let’s not forget when LaVine described his desire to play for a team that sounds awfully familiar.
Chicago Receives: Josh Richardson, Shake Milton, Zhaire Smith, 21st overall pick, 2022 first-round pick (top 10 protected)
Philadelphia Receives: Zach LaVine
2. Chris Paul
One of two players who are most often connected to Philly, Chris Paul should be taken completely seriously when talking about Sixers’ trade targets. There are even reports that the organization is taking a long, hard look at the future Hall of Famer.
The 35-year-old Point Guard recently muscled the Thunder to the fifth seed in the deep Western Conference. The Thunder only had a 0.2% chance (per ESPN) of making the playoffs, let along getting the fifth seed.
He can shoot, pass, defend, everything the Sixers need from a guard. The fit of the player is obvious, the contract is a different story. Paul is entering the final two years of a four year, $159,730,592 contract. That puts his cap hit next season at $41.3 million. The money is tough to swallow but the benefits far out weight the concerns.
With the addition of Paul, the Sixers could move Ben Simmons to Small Forward, a position where he will thrive. Tobias Harris would move back to his natural position of Power Forward and the Sixers would only be a Shooting Guard away from a complete lineup.
Oklahoma City Receives: Josh Richardson, Furkan Korkmaz, 21st overall pick
Charlotte Receives: Al Horford, the 36th pick, 2021 second round pick (via NY)
Philadelphia Receives: Chris Paul
1. Buddy Hield
If Chris Paul is the second most common player connect to Philly, Buddy Hield is the first. It feels like Hield and the Sixers are a match made in heaven and the stars are aligning for Philadelphia to acquire him.
From Hield’s dissatisfaction in Sac-Town to a Trust the Process shout out, to Sacramento’s surprising interest in Al Horford. Everything makes too much sense.
The Sixers are starved for shooting. Many considered and still do consider the Sixers one lights-out shooter away from contention. Buddy Hield fills that need.
Just how good of a shooter is Hield? He won the three-point contest at the 2019 All-Star game. The 27-year-old Bahamian averaged 19.2 points on 39.4% from deep, numbers that could potentially increase in a featured role with the Sixers.
Sacramento Receives: Al Horford, Josh Richardson, Furkan Korkmaz, and the 21st overall pick
Philadelphia Receives: Buddy Hield, Nemanja Bjelica, and Corey Joseph
Change for the Sixers
The Sixers may add a name or two from this list but no matter who, the team must add the right fit. There is more talent on this roster than one would think, it’s the lack of fit that blinds many to the talented roster.
By exchanging some ill-fitting pieces (and draft capital) for some better fits, the Sixers could see exponential growth next season.
Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
