Back when the Philadelphia 76ers were holding out for the strongest James Harden trade offer possible, there was a hesitancy to trade the 10-time All-Star without getting a player of similar value in return. The 76ers didn’t get a big name in exchange for Harden, yet they’ve still remained one of the best teams in the NBA. Some might even make a case that the 76ers have gotten better since Harden’s departure.
While the Sixers are a good team, they want to do everything possible to ensure they remain a great team, one with a strong chance of winning the NBA Finals. After Joel Embiid finally secured his first NBA MVP, the entire focus is on adding a massive championship ring on his finger.
To do so, the 76ers may still be an active team ahead of the NBA trade deadline as they look to build the best roster possible around Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Several players have been linked in NBA trade rumors, including Chicago’s Zach LaVine, but some, like Marc Stein, say he’s not a good fit because the 76ers are targeting a “two-way player” who can excel on offense and defense.
With that in mind, here are a few two-way players who could make sense as 76ers trade targets.
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Dejounte Murray
While the 76ers already have an All-Star caliber guard in Maxey, he has enough versatility that he could play point or shooting guard. With how excellent Maxey is as a shooter, one might argue he’s a better fit as a two-guard who doesn’t also have floor general duties.
Adding a player like Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray definitely fits the criteria of being a standout two-way player, as he’s been named to an NBA All-Defensive team, in addition to being an All-Star. Murray also has the ability to score at a high level, but he’d be the third or even fourth option if he joined Philadelphia.
OG Anunoby
Since becoming the 17th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, OG Anunoby has frequently had his name mentioned in trade rumors. The truth is, two-way players with the positional versatility to guard multiple positions is a skillset NBA teams always crave.
Not only is Anunoby a decent scorer with a career 37% 3-point efficiency, his lengthy frame routinely causes issues for opponents defensively. A year ago, Anunoby led the NBA with 1.9 steals per game while averaging 16.8 points per game. There may not be a better fit for the 76ers than this two-way forward.
Pascal Siakam
We’ve seen how successful the Minnesota Timberwolves can be when pairing one of the best offensive fours with one of the best defensive fives in basketball. What if the 76ers combined two of the best all-around power forwards and centers together?
Sure, there could be some spacing issues with Siakam and Embiid, yet they both have the ability to space the floor and hit shots from distance too. If the 76ers are curious about adding some serious size to their lineup, Siakam may be the best option out there.
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