With the Philadelphia 76ers looking like a better team this season without James Harden, and under new head coach Nick Nurse, the organization may have a very different approach than some expect when they try to improve the team before the trade deadline early in 2024.
This past summer was a very awkward and difficult offseason for the Philadelphia 76ers. After a frustrating elimination in the semifinals of the NBA playoffs, the organization was publicly confronted by an unhappy superstar who opted into the final year of his contract but then immediately requested a trade out of town.
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The James Harden situation was a dark cloud that hovered over the franchise throughout the summer and early part of the season before the Sixers finally sent him packing in a blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Clippers last month. The assumption was that losing the future Hall-of-Famer in a deal that did not bring back a star of equal value would lead to a less impactful season for Philadelphia. However, that has not at all been the case.
The team is currently tied for the best record in the NBA as Joel Embiid has continued his MVP-level play and young star Tyrese Maxey has filled the Harden void and then some as he performs like an elite point guard while also scoring over 28 points per game.
The assumption of fans and media is that Philadelphia will attempt to add a third star before this season’s NBA trade deadline, however, Philadelphia Inquirer 76ers insider Keith Pompey says that may not be the case.
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“I think it could be one of those things where [the hot start] changes their approach [to the trade deadline],” Pompey told Sportsnaut on Tuesday. “Yes, it’s always good to go looking for that star. But you have an ascending star in Maxey. And I feel like you’ve got to be careful who you bring in because it could disrupt the flow and chemistry a little bit.
“But I feel like if Maxey can continue to play at a high level the Sixers will be better suited going after someone who is not the ‘ball hog mega-scoring star.’ Someone who can help them out in different areas.”
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Then if the Philadelphia 76ers don’t target elite stars in the trade market later this season, who might they go after to improve what is one of the better teams in the NBA so far? Pompey believes there are a few positions that could use some more depth, but also one player who formerly played for Nurse that could be the missing piece to a championship team.
“I feel like they could use another small forward or another two guard. A backup point guard, a traditional point guard who doesn’t have to play a lot but someone you can have on your roster,” Pompey says. “But if you can go out and get a guy like [OG Anunoby], I feel like he’s the piece that you need. Now, Nicolas Batum and those other guys are playing extremely well, but if you have OG and start him at the small forward you can have home doing all those other things.
“It just makes you a whole lot deeper,” he added. “… He’s a defensive-minded player, he doesn’t have to score the ball and he’ll just always guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player. That’s the type of guy I think they should go after.”
Anunoby has risen to become one of the Toronto Raptors’ best all-around players and Nurse was a major part of his development over his first seven seasons in the league. His name has been rumored in trades since last season with his contract set expire after this season. He will be looking for his first big-time long-term contract this summer.