The 76ers could pull off one of these blockbusters before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
The Philadelphia 76ers are under significant pressure, with Joel Embiid, the reigning MVP, performing at his best. Despite Embiid’s excellence, the team has not progressed beyond the second round of the playoffs. Despite overcoming the James Harden drama and staying competitive, the Sixers must now leverage their assets to enhance their roster prior to the trade deadline on February 8.
The Sixers have various options to consider. While they could create maximum salary cap space in the offseason, doing so would require maintaining the status quo at the deadline. Currently ranking third in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia lags behind Boston and Milwaukee. With three first-round picks available for trade, the Sixers shouldn’t squander a prime year of Embiid’s career.
Given the availability of multiple star players before February 8 and the flexibility of several tradable contracts, the Sixers have the opportunity to explore six impactful trades before the trade deadline expires.
5. 76ers narrowly avoid all-in to land Pascal Siakam
Siakam is actively available for trade. The two-time All-Star is currently on an expiring contract, and the Raptors have already traded OG Anunoby. Despite various rumors, including reports by Marc Stein suggesting that the 76ers were not likely to pursue the 6’8 forward, it’s important to approach such information with caution during this time of year. Daryl Morey, known for pursuing top-tier talent, might be interested in Siakam, who is expected to be among the best available players. However, Siakam’s willingness to re-sign with the 76ers in the offseason is a crucial factor that the team should assess before making any trade. The expiring nature of his contract could limit Philadelphia from going all-in.
Although acquiring Siakam comes at a significant cost, the Raptors are in need of a big man due to Jakob Poeltl’s injury, prompting them to take a chance on Paul Reed, who has demonstrated promise behind Joel Embiid. In return, Toronto receives two first-round picks, with Philadelphia retaining one for potential future roster upgrades.
If the 76ers opt not to pursue Pascal Siakam, they still have several other star options available for trade before the February 8 deadline. However, these alternatives would likely require a full-fledged commitment from the team.
4. Sixers go all-in as Hawks sell-off
Things haven’t gone according to plan in Atlanta, leading the Hawks to contemplate selling before the deadline. While Dejounte Murray is a prominent name in trade rumors, he’s not the only player the team may move. De’Andre Hunter, Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Saddiq Bey are all potential candidates for trade before Feb. 8.
For Philadelphia, which is in search of multiple pieces, Atlanta could serve as an ideal trade partner. Despite having a solid foundation in Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris, the Sixers require additional top-tier talent to compete with Boston and Milwaukee. Acquiring Murray and Bogdanovic in this potential deal could elevate the 76ers to genuine title contenders.
The addition of Murray and Bogdanovic would instantly fortify Philadelphia’s starting five and provide an elite sixth man. The playoff rotation would further benefit from having De’Anthony Melton or Nicolas Batum and Kelly Oubre Jr. Coach Nick Nurse could rely heavily on his key players while having the depth to outmatch any opponent.
Considering that the Hawks invested four first-round picks to acquire Dejounte Murray, selling low in a potential trade is a concern. While the 76ers offer three first-rounders, Atlanta is likely to seek more, making the negotiation process challenging.
In the event that a workable trade with the Hawks proves elusive for the Philadelphia 76ers, they may explore alternative options by targeting an available forward on a team in the midst of a rebuilding phase.
3. 76ers offer max for Lauri Markkanen
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Markkanen is proving his All-Star season was no fluke as he averages 23.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 32.6 minutes per game.
The seven-footer is in his prime and fills one of the Sixers’ biggest holes. Philadelphia sits 21st in 3-pointers made this season and 22nd in threes attempted. Markkanen has made 38.6 percent from long range this season on more than eight attempts per game. He spaces the floor and is comfortable firing away.
Jazz president Danny Ainge will want a king’s ransom for Markkanen. Acquiring a prime All-Star is never cheap, but are three first-round picks enough? Ainge got more for Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, but this is likely the maximum draft capital the Jazz can expect for Markkanen.
Utah could ask for young talent with the draft picks, but Philly is limited there. They are not trading Tyrese Maxey, which leaves Paul Reed, who cannot be traded to the Jazz after signing an offer sheet with them in restricted free agency, and Jaden Springer as their only young talents. Kenyon Martin Jr. is only 23 years old, but he is an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
Joel Embiid and Lauri Markkanen would be an elite frontcourt, but the current Utah star has never played in the postseason. It would be a massive gamble for the Sixers to go all-in on a 26-year-old without playoff experience and could be the reason Daryl Morey and his front office steer clear.
2. Sixers convince Cavaliers to trade Donovan Mitchell
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Spider is currently the focal point of trade rumors, being a four-time All-Star and one of the league’s premier scorers. In each of his first six seasons, the 27-year-old has guided his team to the playoffs, showcasing remarkable performances in the postseason. However, despite his achievements, he is still in pursuit of his first appearance in the conference finals.
While Mitchell has the option to become a free agent in 2025, the Cavaliers cannot afford to let him reach that stage. They are faced with the decision to either extend his contract or explore a trade. If the four-time All-Star expresses a desire to leave, the transaction could occur before the Feb. 8 deadline. Cleveland is compelled to maximize the value for their star player as they aim to recoup their investment.
In a previous deal for Mitchell, the Jazz acquired Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, three first-round draft picks, and two swaps. Although Philadelphia’s offer falls short of this, it represents the maximum Daryl Morey is willing to propose. While the Sixers may consider including a couple of swaps, they lack the requisite young talent.
Concerns may arise regarding the backcourt, as both Donovan Mitchell and Tyrese Maxey are undersized guards with defensive uncertainties. Although having Joel Embiid to protect the rim provides some assurance, the Sixers would need to complement their roster with a 3-and-D wing.
Exploring a trade for Donovan Mitchell is advisable for the Philadelphia 76ers, but it could prove challenging. The outcome before the Feb. 8 trade deadline remains uncertain, and surprising trades occur annually, with the potential for an unprecedented deal involving one of the all-time greats.
1. 76ers land LeBron James as things blow up in LA
The Lakers’ season has deviated from expectations, currently holding a 19-19 record and residing in the tenth position in the Western Conference as of January 10. Despite LeBron James remaining in good health and the team securing victory in the In-Season Tournament, a recent downturn has prompted the NBA’s all-time leading scorer to deliver some critical remarks about his team.
In the event that the Lakers continue to decline, there arises the question of whether LeBron James might contemplate requesting a trade. Despite being 39 years old, he is still performing at the peak of his abilities and harbors a strong desire to pursue another championship. Should the prospect of achieving this goal in Los Angeles appear unlikely, LeBron James, often pursued by Daryl Morey over the years, may explore alternative options. In such a scenario, the package presented would likely capture the Lakers’ interest if LeBron were to express a desire for a trade.
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