After a long wait, the draft is almost here. The Sixers are expected to be busy this offseason, and draft night could be the start of it all.
The Sixers, as of this moment, are scheduled to pick at 28th and 50th. The star potential runs out after about the top six picks, but the draft is very deep, so if the Sixers keep 28, they could find a solid contributor. Or, they could move that pick or even other assets in an exciting draft-day deal.
There are plenty of options for the Sixers when it comes to the trade market. They don’t necessarily have to make a blockbuster move though they certainly could. They could try and add depth to their team, or they could look to add another starter. Hopefully, the team is able to strike a deal for one of the big available stars but again, they have options.
Option #1: Add Depth
The Sixers, unfortunately, aren’t just one move away (unless that move is Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal). While that may be the case, the Sixers could very well look to make a more modest deal during the draft and opt to save a larger-scale trade closer to the trade deadline.
One option in a smaller scale deal would be swapping George Hill and the 28th pick in the draft for electric swingman Terrence Ross. The Magic’s sixth man departure from the team seems inevitable, and the Sixers could certainly use his scoring punch.
The difficulty here is that the Sixers would essentially be owning up to the mistake that was trading for George Hill, but that shouldn’t stop them from looking to add a player in Ross who could help fix the Sixers’ bench woes. Ross also has an extra year of controllability, making him even more valuable. It’s not the move Sixers’ fans want, but it certainly would improve the team.
Option #2: Add A Starter
Another option would be for the Sixers to look for an addition to the starting lineup. Ideally, the team would keep both Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris, so the question becomes, who could the Sixers even target?
In steps Terry Rozier who would be a great fit at a modest price. Rozier averaged over 20 points per game for the Hornets last season and could be counted on by Philly to be the scoring threat the Sixers were desperately missing last season.
Rozier played an important role on the Hornets last season, but he’s on an expiring contract, and the Hornets may find it difficult, or even not worthwhile, to bring him back. Opting instead to move Rozier for assets, they could secure Shake Milton and the 28th pick who could have a future in Charolette and get George Hill as well, who they could flip again during the season.
Rozier again isn’t Dame or Bradley Beal, but he would raise this team’s floor and ceiling in a big way. The Sixers would still have the Flexibility to move Simmons later in the season as well.
Option #3: Add a Star
Finally, the deal everyone has been waiting for, Bradley Beal. One of the Sixers’ top targets could very well be acquired on draft night. The Sixers have the assets necessary to start a rather quick rebuild in Washington, and the Wizards shouldn’t think twice.
Trading Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey, Shake Milton, and two first-round picks may feel like a lot, and it is, but the Sixers would be getting a top player who fits brilliantly in return. The Sixers would have a starting lineup of Bradley Beal, Matisse Thybulle, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid, which would be one of the top lineups in the NBA.
Noticeably missing from that lineup is a point guard. George Hill would be the obvious choice, but likely the Sixers would aim to make a move whether in free agency or via a trade, to acquire a starting guard. Perhaps that’s where the Eric Bledsoe rumors come into play.
That’s a problem the Sixers would love to have as long as they have Beal on their squad. With reports that a Simmons trade is on the horizon and that Washington is one of the most expected landing spots, fans could potentially see this deal go down between now and the draft.
