The Sixers are preparing for the NBA trade deadline on March 25th, the team is off to a great start, but they could certainly be improved.
Shooting guard has been an area of inconsistency for the Sixers this season. Things started off strong with Seth Curry playing the best basketball of his life, but that was brought to a halt after his COVID diagnosis. Matisse Thybulle is a fine player and a helluva defender, but he’s a nightmare offensively more often than not. Shake Milton, initially thought to be the team’s sixth man, has proven to be wildly inconsistent, showing the need for more stability from the 2-guard spot.
The Sixers have a lot of options ahead of the deadline. Some are big-time names; others could be considered bargain bin players. Then there are the players in-between. A combination of exciting yet realistic. That is where the focus lies today.
Sixers Shooting Guard Trade Options
Terrence Ross
One team that should be in full fire-sale mode is the Orlando Magic. Currently 14th in the Eastern Conference, the Magic have absolutely no shot at making the playoffs and should pivot to focusing on their youth. Players like Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, and Markelle Fultz *shudders*.
Aaron Gordon has likely gone. Hopefully, Nikola Vucevic isn’t too far behind, but what about players whom the Sixers may have an interest in? Well, one such player is the ever-explosive Terrence Ross.
Ross could be the perfect spark off the Sixers’ bench for years to come. The swingman fits like a glove with the Sixers as he can shoot, run in transition, and get to the basket. All this, and he’s athletic enough to at least keep up defensively.
He’s not the answer to all of the Sixers’ problems, but he’s a great place to start. Danny Green (likely repackaged by Orlando after) and two quality seconds get it done.
Buddy Hield
Guess who’s back on the list of Sixers trade targets. Buddy Hield once again finds himself a potential target for the Philadelphia 76ers after a flirtatious two-year period that boasted a greater “will they, won’t they” than any 90’s sitcom known to man.
The Sacramento Kings once again find themselves at the bottom of the Western Conference, and it’s that special time of year to sell everything that isn’t nailed down. The only things nailed down of course being De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton.
Hield fits exactly what the Sixers are looking for out of a shooting guard. He can shoot and well score, the two things the Sixers need more of from that position. While he is having a down year in 3P%, there should be no long-term concern for his shooting as he is a career 40.5% three-point shooter over his five-year career.
Hield could slide right next to Ben Simmons and either play alongside Seth Curry or allow Matisse Thybulle to start full time. This would allow Seth Curry to fire off from the bench solving the depth scoring problem that, recent games aside, is still very much a reality.
It wouldn’t take too much either. A first, Danny Green (to be traded again by Sacramento), and Mike Scott for salary filler, and you have yourself a deal.
Terry Rozier
Sadly, Zach LaVine is no longer a realistic target. Even if the Sixers mortgaged the future, the Bulls likely wouldn’t budge. While there’s not exactly another Zach Lavine just floating out there, Terry Rozier is not a bad consolation prize.
The guard out of Louisville has really taken off in Charlotte and has averaged at least 18 points over the last two seasons. He’s become a fantastic shooter in that time and is up to 43.2% from deep this season. A consistent scoring threat who can shoot and handle the ball if need be, Terry Rozier is just what the Doctor ordered for this Sixers squad.
Now many think of Rozier as a point guard, and for the majority of his career, they would’ve been right, but he’s played 79% of his minutes as a 2-guard this season and is thriving for it. He could continue to thrive next to Ben Simmons, who would cover up many of Rozier’s defensive inefficiencies.
Rozier can create his own shot, something the Sixers desperately need but even more important is his catch-and-shoot game. Rozier is currently shooting 49.1% from three in catch-and-shoot situations. Imagine how well he’d do coming off of a Ben Simmons dish or bailing Joel Embiid out of a double team.
The difficulty becomes how to acquire him. The Hornets are unlikely to be interested in many of the Sixers’ available players, so a third team becomes the obvious answer. The Hornets have been searching for a center, and the Sixers should be more than happy to help facilitate a trade.
Two targets the Hornets should be interested in are Nikola Vucevic or John Collins. Now Collins is a power forward, yes, but what if he wasn’t? What if he was a modern-day big stuck out of position? Sure he’s not the defender you look for at that position, but Collins had his best year as a pro last season, a season where he spent 47% of his minutes as a center.
The Hornets could become a powerhouse offense behind a lineup of Ball, Graham, Hayward, Washington, and Collins. The Sixers could help them build that line up for the small fee, of course of Terry Rozier. All it would cost the Sixers would be Danny Green, Tyrese Maxey, and a first-round pick.
