Three Small Forwards For The Sixers To Target At The Trade Deadline

The trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Sixers are expected to be active. What small forwards could the team target?

While small forward isn’t exactly a need for the Sixers, it’s obvious that you can’t put anything past Daryl Morey. The case can be easily made that the Sixers could acquire and on the court upgrade over Danny Green though he adds so much to the team not seen during the game.

Likely if the Sixers were to deal for another small forward, it would be someone who is offensive-minded who wouldn’t be much of a drop-off as a shooter compared to Green.

The pool of players that would interest the Sixers is rather small, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any quality names floating around the trade block. Here are three small forwards for the Sixers to target at the trade deadline:

Sixers Small Forward Trade Options

Jeremy Lamb

The Indiana Pacers are 3-7 in their last 10 games. While they’re technically still alive in the playoff race, the outlook it’s looking particularly great for a deep playoff push. The good news for Indiana is that Caris LeVert is back on the court and the team has a chance to improve their position in the standings.

But if the team continues to slide, they could very well sell off some of their less impressive pieces like Jeremy Lamb. The 6’5″ shooting guard has spent the beginning of the season injured but has overcome that en route to his most efficient season yet.

Lamb would add a level of consistent shooting to the Sixers bench that is currently absent. He’s extremely comfortable playing in an off-ball role, so whether he’s sharing the floor with Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, or Shake Milton, he’ll find a way to knock down the open shot.

The Pacers would find value in freeing up some money next season (assuming they are realistic about this season), so Mike Scott and Terrance Ferguson would work to match salary. The value for the Pacers comes not only in the form of salary relief but the Sixers 2021 first, which unfortunately is the cost of doing business for a quality player.

Will Barton

Will Barton is exactly the type of player the Sixers need. He provides scoring, ball-handling, and he’s shooting just under 41.7% from deep (44.2% catch-and-shoot). What’s not to like? Offensively speaking, Barton could help bring the Sixers bench to new heights and give them a true sixth-man.

Now, it’s not all sunshine and roses with Barton. He’s frankly a defensive liability that normally wouldn’t fly; however, with the rise of Matisse Thybulle, it’s a risk the Sixers just might be willing to make.

What makes the defensive loss even more severe is that the Nuggets would likely want Danny Green for Barton. Many fans don’t have the highest opinion of Green. Still, the fact is he’s a quality vet who provides consistent shooting and defense, something 2 desperately need.

On top of this, getting out of Barton’s deal. Barton has a player option for 2021-22 that would pay him over $14 million that he will likely accept. The Nuggets without him and with Paul Millsap‘s expiring deal suddenly become a Gary Harris trade away from being able to make some noise in free agency this offseason. For all of those reasons, a swap of Will Barton and Danny Green makes sense for both teams.

Evan Fournier

The Orlando Magic should be looking to move on from their veterans and rebuild. They will have a top draft pick in an extremely deep draft. They will have Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, and Cole Anthony back next season, so they will have a solid starting point.

Many teams will be looking to take advantage of the magic’s situation, and the Sixers should be no different. There are many names the Sixers should be interested in. Terrence Ross, Al-Farouq Aminu, James Ennis III, Michael Carter Williams, and of course, Evan Fournier.

Many of those names don’t exactly inspire confidence. Most of them would only be targets if they were bought out, but Fournier is different. In Fournier, the Sixers would have another reliable scoring option, one whose talent exceeds anyone not named Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, or Joel Embiid.

Fournier has once again been one of Orlando’s lone bright spots, averaging 18.5 points over the past two seasons. The Magic are unlikely to retain him after this season. He should be one of the names moved alongside Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic.

All it would likely take is a first-round pick and Danny Green (who would be moved by Orlando for additional picks). Fournier is not the defender that Green is, but he’s also not as abysmal as Will Barton. Add that two to his offensive game, which is by far the best of the three, and you have yourself a sensical deal.