Even with their dispiriting loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night, the Sixers sit at 22-17, good for fifth in the East. If fans were told that would be the case back in October — and the team was getting MVP-caliber play from Tyrese Maxey, a physically improving version of Joel Embiid and a Rookie of the Year-level campaign from VJ Edgecombe — they’d have been ecstatic.
The Sixers have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the NBA this season. They have a legitimate chance at a guaranteed
playoff spot and are only 2.5 games back of the two seed. A lot of things have to go right, but there’s a shred of hope after one of the most nightmarish seasons in franchise history.
But as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches, the team’s approach isn’t cut and dry. Do you make an all-in move trying to capitalize on what Embiid and Paul George still have in the tank? Do you look for future assets, letting the season play out with most of the current pieces intact? Is there a move to be made in the middle? Do the Sixers really let the air out of things and duck the tax (again)?
Let’s work backwards here and start with the possibility of a money-saving move. Man, after all the work Embiid and George have done to get back on the court and with the special season Maxey is currently having, it would be a massive disappointment if the team simply dodges the tax while making no moves of consequence.
As the Slopfather TrillBroDude points out on The Feed, something with the Memphis Grizzlies where they become a third team to facilitate a Ja Morant deal — taking back Jock Landale while moving Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon and a second or two — maybe threads that needle. Landale provides a slight upgrade over Drummond while also helping the tax bill. That type of deal would also clear the way for the Sixers to convert the contracts of Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker to standard deals. If that’s the only move made, it’s likely greeted with a shrug over pitchforks.
What about going all-in? It seems pretty obvious the Sixers need to tread a bit lightly there. Embiid and George are playing regularly and actively helping the team win games, but it’s still difficult to trust their health. If you use a valuable asset like the LA Clippers’ unprotected pick and then Embiid goes down again, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
If the Sixers go for a minor rotational upgrade over the guys on their current roster, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what they should target positionally. They still have a glut of guards, especially if Kelly Oubre, Jr., who can defend guards and provide supplemental ball-handling, remains after the deadline. They have options at the five with Embiid, Drummond, Adem Bona and even Barlow and Walker. The Sacramento Kings’ Keon Ellis and Indiana Pacers’ Jay Huff have been linked to the Sixers at those positions. Could they be tax-lowering guys that are also upgrades? Eh.
One area where the Sixers can genuinely improve is on the wing. George and Oubre are their only consistent rotation options. Justin Edwards has battled inconsistency in his second season and the only other rostered wing is two-way player MarJon Beauchamp. Every contender could use a 3-and-D wing. The Sixers are no different.
Of course, there are loftier names out there that could help the Sixers achieve the goal of improving the team now and in the future. The New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly been rebuffing teams calling about Trey Murphy … but you know that ain’t stopping Daryl Morey. Same goes for the Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson, Jr. if that organization looks for a full rebuild.
More realistically, there was a report last week that the Atlanta Hawks could consider moving Onyeka Okongwu. He’d be a super intriguing fit as a guy who can play next to and back up Embiid. Plus, he’s on a team-friendly contract and just turned 25 last month. Memphis’ Santi Aldama is in a similar boat, having just turned 25 and on a great value contract.
Here’s the thing: the Sixers might not even know the direction they’re going with a few weeks left until the deadline. But if the team is healthy and still winning games, it should make things interesting. It could be an opportunity to recapture a fanbase that’s rightfully been skeptical of being ten toes down on this team.
It could very well be up to the team to force Morey and the front office to make something happen.
