Philadelphia 76ers front office head Daryl Morey finally bit the bullet and traded James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers in late October.
This ends months of drama surrounding Harden and the 76ers. It also enables Philadelphia — ripe with NBA Championship aspirations — to move forward and construct a roster to Morey’s liking.
The 76ers acquired rotational pieces Marcus Morris, Nic Batum and Robert Covington in the trade. They also picked up two future first-round picks, second-round selections and a pick swap in the blockbuster.
It goes without saying that the current iteration of Philadelphia’s roster likely won’t look the same once the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline comes calling. Morey created flexibility to find more star power behind reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid and rising superstar guard Tyrese Maxey.
In fact, Philadelphia has only two players under roster for the 2024-25 season. It can also opt to re-sign Maxey as a restricted free agent next summer while being able to take that hit into the tax, enabling the team to add even more star power.
Some say that the 76ers didn’t acquire fair-market value for a former NBA MVP. That’s not necessarily true. They acquired flexibility for Morey to do his thing. Below, we look at four ideal Philadelphia 76ers trade scenarios moving forward this season with the new-found flexibility.
Related: 2023-24 NBA Playoffs and Finals predictions
Philadelphia acquires Pascal Siakam to provide frontcourt help
- Philadelphia 76ers get: Pascal Siakam
- Toronto Raptors get: Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, 1st-round pick, 2nd-round pick
Toronto’s brass pushed back against dealing away Siakam this past summer despite the fact that Fred VanVleet left in NBA free agency. The team somehow believes that it can still contend in the Eastern Conference moving forward. Reality should set in ahead of the deadline.
Siakam, 29, would be an ideal fit next to Embiid in the Philadelphia frontcourt. He entered the 2023-24 campaign averaging 22.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists on 47% shooting over the previous four seasons. Siakam’s scoring, passing and defensive abilities would be a boon for Philadelphia. In return, Toronto acquires the Clippers’ unprotected 2028 first-round pick to make it worth the team’s while.
Philadelphia 76ers trade for another big-time scorer in Lauri Markkanen
- Philadelphia 76ers get: Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton
- Utah Jazz get: Nic Batum, Paul Reed, 1st-round pick, 2nd-round pick
Markkanen wouldn’t necessarily be a splash move for Philadelphia. But he’d be a tremendous fit to go with Embiid and Maxey. We’re talking about a first-time All-Star in 2022-23 who averaged 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds on 39% shooting from distance.
The veteran’s ability to stretch the court from the four spot would work well with Embiid given what Philadelphia’s star center is able to do himself out on the perimeter. Adding a backup point guard in Sexton would only be icing on the cake.
In return, Utah front office head Danny Ainge picks up a future first-round pick and a second rounder to add to his war chest. While it wouldn’t be the unprotected 2028 pick (via Los Angeles), it would give the Jazz even more flexibility moving forward.
Related: Updated NBA power rankings
Zach LaVine heads to Philadelphia in blockbuster
- Philadelphia 76ers get: Zach LaVine
- Chicago Bulls get: Marcus Morris, Nic Batum and Robert Covington, 2 1st-round picks, 2 2nd-round picks
To be clear. It should cost more for Philadelphia to acquire LaVine than it what it picked up from Los Angeles for Harden. After all, we’re talking about a 28-year-old wing who is just now entering his prime and has played at an All-NBA level over the past five-plus seasons.
- Zach LaVine stats (2018-23): 25.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.4 APG, 48% shooting, 39% 3-point
LaVine is a pure scorer who can create his own shot from the wing. He’s similar, but more refined than Maxey in that regard. Acquiring him gives Philadelphia three players with a capability of dropping 40 on any given night. Talk about firepower.
As for Chicago, the team joined Toronto in pushing back against blowing it up this past summer. As things continue to spiral heading into February’s trade deadline, we expect front office head Artūras Karnišovas to rethink that strategy. Picking up two first-round picks (including the 2028 unprotected) as well as three expiring contracts would be a boon.
Related: Top 50 NBA players of 2023-24
Philly attempts to form NBA’s next super team
- Philadelphia 76ers get: Zion Williamson
- New Orleans Pelicans get: Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris, 3 1st-round picks, pick swap
At some point, Philadelphia is going to have to appease Joel Embiid. We’ve read rumors about him potentially requesting a trade down the road should championship contention not become part of the game in the City of Brotherly Love. While these are just rumors, there is a timer on Embiid being happy with the 76ers.
Why not put it all in to acquire another generational talent in Zion Williamson to team up with Embiid? Imagine those two doing their thing in the frontcourt with Maxey starring out on the perimeter. It would be an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses.
In return, New Orleans hits the reset button. We already know what Williamson’s future with the Pelicans has been in question for some time now. If the Pels figure that they are not in contention once February comes calling, moving him for a boat load of picks would make a ton of sense.