Philadelphia 76ers: Possible Trade Targets

The Philadelphia 76ers still need to trade a big man at some point, and there are multiple players around the league they might be interested in.

The Philadelphia 76ers have many options to choose from when it comes to making trades. Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor are the two players that the 76ers are most likely shopping wth Joel Embiid doing so well this season.

Noel has yet to play this season due to an injury, while Okafor has shown Sixer fans why he was chosen third overall in 2015. Noel’s trade value has taken a hit because of his injury as well as not signing a contract extension, making him a free agent in 2017.

There have been tons of trade rumours circulating about these two players ever since Okafor was drafted, and as we saw last season the pair has not proven that they can play well together as they are both post players. And in this time there have been many players who have been linked with the 76ers. Players like Brandon Knight, Cory Joseph, Terrence Ross and Marcus Smart have popped up as suggestions many times.

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Brandon Knight

Knight’s name has been thrown around a lot in trade talks in the past year after Devin Booker‘s breakout early last season. He would potentially give the 76ers’ backcourt some stability as he showed great ability during his Milwaukee days. It is concerning, however, that he has been traded twice in the last three years. Maybe he has a poor attitude or work ethic that we just don’t know about that makes teams want to part with him quickly.

Another reason for the Phoenix Suns to trade Knight is that he has only started 1 out of the first 12 games. Knight isn’t used to coming off the bench regularly. He is averaging 7 less points than he was last season and is shooting a low 28 percent from three this season. Maybe the Suns will get fed up with his production and ultimately lead to lowering the asking price.

Cory Joseph and Terrence Ross

Joseph and Ross are more names that has been used regularly when talking trades. Noel would fit rather nice into the Raptors starting lineup and give them the rim protection that they are missing from the exiting Bismack Biyombo. Trading for Noel might just give the Raptors enough firepower to contend for the 2nd seed in the East and give the Cavs a good run in the playoffs if they match up.

The scoring for the Raptors hasn’t been their problem, it’s the defense, allowing over 103 points a game, Noel would certainly help out on that side of the ball. He wouldn’t need the ball on offense either.

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Joseph would also add some stability to the inexperienced Sixer’s backcourt. TJ McConnell has taken a step back this year and some think it’s already time to move on. Joseph is a very strong defender who is also capable is scoring the ball, although he does struggle from behind the arc, only shooting 28 percent on the year.

Ross will add some offensive firepower, someone who isn’t afraid to shoot the ball. He could replace Robert Covington at the three spot, who has massively underperformed this season. Ross has shown that he his capable of scoring in bunches, scoring 51 against the Clippers back in 2014. Ross is also shooting well for three this year, a rather impressive 41 percent, an increase from last year.

These would both be welcomed additions to the Sixers ranks.

Next: Covington Should Come off of the Bench

Marcus Smart

Smart would add some fight and steel to the defense, and he would also up the intensity tremendously. He’s one of the toughest guards in the league, he fights for everything whether that be a loose ball or a rebound. Smart isn’t much of a distributor, only averaging 3.6 assists in 33 minutes. With that said, he’s improving on the offensive end, shooting 32 percent from three. He would become a fan favorite at times but may also be the villain due to his inefficient shot and overly-dramatic flops. This potential trade may also see T.J. McConnell get sent down to the Delaware 87ers or it may even see T.J. get cut.