The Sixers have the case for the best on-paper roster in the Eastern Conference entering this season, and while it’s almost certain that not every addition and subtraction will work out for the better for Philadelphia, making moves in the middle of February to enhance chemistry and structure doesn’t have to sacrifice the level of talent that Doc Rivers already has at his disposal.
Here are three realistic targets that the Sixers could look to acquire when the season gets close to the trade deadline – ones that could allow Daryl Morey to continue his journey of turning the Sixers’ bench from a weakness to a strength.
Buddy Hield – SG, Indiana Pacers
Buddy Hield is your classic case of “way older than everyone thinks”, entering the season at 29 years of age despite only being drafted in 2016, the same class as prominent players like Brandon Ingram and Jaylen Brown who are both only 25 years old.
This points to Hield not being part of the Pacers’ “quick rebuild” timeline centered around Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, and 2022 6th overall pick from Arizona and popular Rookie of the Year Award sleeper pick Bennedict Mathurin. And with Myles Turner being speculated to be shipped off for the past two years, Hield should be more suspectable to being traded.
If players like Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton can’t seem to provide the consistency from the three-point line that the Sixers will need off the bench, an experienced shooter like Hield who has a career percentage from beyond the arc of 40% would be priceless.
Will Barton – SF, Washington Wizards
Although the Sixers are known for drafting well in the past few years, they need players, not picks. And they especially don’t need second-round picks.
The Wizards want as many young, versatile players as they can get – their value of being able to contribute to a team in multiple ways is demonstrated in their drafting of players like Deni Avdija, Corey Kispert, and most recently Johnny Davis. If he were to get his jump shot improved, a player like Matisse Thybulle would be perfect for the kind of basketball Washington is building down in D.C.
Throwing Thybulle and a second-round pick at the Wizards in exchange for Will Barton could be a move to look out for at the trade deadline – the Wizards would get younger, and the Sixers could add even more offensive consistency to their bench.
Precious Achiuwa – PF/C, Toronto Raptors
The Raptors need one thing: size. And the Sixers have it. Georges Niang and Paul Reed are the first to come to mind.
Toronto’s issues with height have less to do with rebounding – they have plenty of that – and more to do with pure length. Even some of their bigger players like Achiuwa, Scottie Barnes, and O.G. Anunoby are more stocky and broad at the shoulders. Niang and Reed would both give them that length they’re missing, and Achiuwa would give Philly a consistent rebounder off the bench other than Montrez Harrell.
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Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
