NBA trade season is just around the corner. Among the teams expected to be heavily working the phones is the Philadelphia 76ers, who are looking for a way to turn their season around after a worst-case-scenario start.
Here’s what you need to know this trade season:
Important dates to know
- Dec. 15—Now in the rearview mirror, Dec. 15 marked the day the restriction on trading most players who signed during the offseason was lifted. The NBA’s current CBA prohibits teams from trading players they signed as free agents for three months or until Dec. 15, whichever is longer.
Players who became trade-eligible on Dec. 15 include Trendon Watford (F, Brooklyn Nets), Shake Milton (G, Brooklyn Nets), Talen Horton-Tucker (Wing, Chicago Bulls), Jalen Smith (PF/C, Chicago Bulls), Simone Fontecchio (Wing, Detroit Pistons), Cameron Payne (G, New York Knicks), Luke Kennard (G, Memphis Grizzlies), Charles Bassey (C, San Antonio Spurs), and Jonas Valancunias (C, Washington Wizards).
The following is a list of Sixers players who became trade-eligible on Dec. 15: Paul George, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, Reggie Jackson, Kyle Lowry*, Caleb Martin, Kelly Oubre**, and Guerschon Yabusele. - Jan 15. — The next significant date affecting the trade market will occur in about a month’s time, on Jan. 15, when the restriction on trading most of the remaining restricted players who signed during the offseason. The players who will become trade eligible on Jan. 15 are re-signed using Bird or Early Bird rights to a contract that is 20% or greater than their previous deal while their team is over the cap.
Players who will become trade-eligible on Jan. 15 include Patrick Williams (PF/C, Chicago Bulls), Obi Toppin (PF, Indiana Pacers), Scottie Pippen Jr. (F, Memphis Grizzlies), Haywood Highsmith (F, Miami Heat), Isaiah Joe (G, Oklahoma City Thunder), and Aaron Wiggins (G, Oklahoma City Thunder).
The following is a list of Sixers players who will become trade-eligible on Jan. 15: K.J. Martin and Tyrese Maxey.
*Kyle Lowry’s contract includes a no-trade clause this season.
**Kelly Oubre was re-signed to a contract that is 20% or greater than their previous deal, but he was signed into cap space, not using Bird or Early Bird rights.
Who is safe from trade talks
Without a shadow of a doubt, Philadelphia’s Big 3 of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey will remain in Philadelphia past the trade deadline. Embiid will not become trade-eligible until the offseason after signing his extension, but that is beside the point. Philadelphia has only seen the trio on the court together for 45 minutes this season. There is zero interest in breaking that group up.
Standout rookie Jared McCain is another player who has seemingly made himself untouchable this trade season. The first-year guard has averaged 15.8 points this season and appears to be the clear front-runner to become the NBA’s rookie of the year. Currently on the mend following a torn meniscus, McCain’s status in Philadelphia is especially safe at the deadline.
The Sixers are also reportedly completely disinterested in the idea of dealing with Guerschon Yabusele, according to NBA Insider Jake Fischer. His return to the NBA—specifically, his success in that return—has been one of the best stories in the league.
As Fischer put it,
“One source consulted stressed that the Sixers are thrilled with the production they’ve gotten from Yabusele after bringing him back to the NBA following his Olympic star turn with hosts France. It’s one of the few things that has gone right for Joel Embiid and Co.”
Finally, there’s Andre Drummond.
The Philadelphia 76ers were glad to reunite with Andre Drummond this offseason. They never wanted to trade him away in the first place, but it was a necessary evil for them to trade for James Harden. The Sixers tried to reacquire Drummond last season from Chicago, even believing a deal was done, but the Bulls pulled out of negotiations at the eleventh hour.
It is highly unlikely that Philadelphia actively look to include Drummond in a deal once again, but it’s clear the possibility is not zero either.
Now, onto who could find themselves on the trade block.
Who could be on the trade block?
The most commonly mentioned name early this season has been forward KJ Martin, who was signed with the belief by many to be a human trade exception, allowing the Sixers to increase their financial flexibility in trade negotiations. The issue is that Martin has been playing himself out of trade talks.
Over his last eight games played, Martin has averaged 10.3 points with splits of 69.4/41.7/81.8 and has played a vital defensive role for the Sixers. Will Martin’s potential. replacement be able to contribute all of that? It’s far from a guarantee.
Other than Martin, Kelly Oubre and the other Martin, Caleb, are two sensible options due to their cap hits—$7,983,000 and $8,149,001, but there are issues with both options potentially hitting the trade block. The biggest complication is that it would be quite difficult to find a player in a similar salary range who can produce to the level that Oubre has and that Martin is expected. With Matin returning tonight, seemingly healthy, the opportunity for him to rehab his season is here.
Another name of note is Eric Gordon, who the team signed to a veteran minimum deal this offseason. The Sixers, including Reggie Jackson, Kyle Lowry, and Guerschon Yabusele, signed others to vet minimum deals. The difference with Gordon’s deal is that it’s not a one-year deal, holding a player option in the second season.
Why does that matter? It matters because, for veterans with three or more years of experience who sign one-year, minimum-salary contracts, the cap hit for the minimum contract is only $2,087,519, even if their salary is higher due to years of experience.
For example, Reggie Jackson signed a veteran minimum deal with the Sixers this season. His salary, as a player with 10+ years of experience in the league, is $3,303,771, but since his contract is for one year, his cap hit is $2,087,519.
Eric Gordon also signed a veteran minimum deal with the Sixers this season. Similar to Jackson, his salary as a player with 10+ years of experience in the league is $3,303,771, but since his contract is a two-year deal, he has a player option in year two; Gordon’s cap hit remains $3,303,771. This gives Philadelphia an extra $1,216,252 to play with in negotiations.
Who could the Sixers target?
There are many potential names that offer varying levels of excitement, although Sixers fans should temper their expectations this trade season. While the team could technically pursue a player like Cam Johnson in Brooklyn, he would effectively require Philadelphia to trade Oubre alongside both Martins in order for the move to work financially. It can very easily be argued that the Sixers are better off with their current three role players.
So when looking at options, players who would require just one of Martin, Oubre, or Martin plus Eric Gordon make the most sense as a salary cap of sorts. That would place a deal right around $11 million. In that range, players like Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo, Atlanta Hawks forward/center Larry Nance Jr., and Aaron Wiggins are all names fitting within this price range.
If Philadelphia opted to deal their minimum contracts for other similarly priced players, San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham, Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis, and Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Williams III fit within Gordon’s matching salary range, while Memphis Grizzlies guard Scottie Pippen Jr., New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado, and Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara fit within Reggie Jackson’s matching salary range.
