The Sixer Sense
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The Philadelphia 76ers Should Avoid Trades For Now

By Bret Stuter

Apr 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) takes a pass during shooting drills prior to playing Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) takes a pass during shooting drills prior to playing Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons poses with his jersey during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons poses with his jersey during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Marketable Assets

With the arrival of Ben Simmons,  the dysfunctional front court just became rather functional. That is as long as the team rotates the Okafor Noel tandem on different lineups until they manage to work out their role assignments. As the team progresses through the season, each of the three centers will solidify their capacity and potential, will resonate or not with the other roster pieces, and will prove that they have fully recovered from their injuries.

It’s that uncertainty of what each individual will do to take it to the next level that has opened the door for deeply discounting their services.

Keeping the three will shunt that thought process.

It will also tighten down the supply.  This off-season, many NBA teams simply swapped one veteran for another.  As the season progresses, some of those “plug and play” matches will misfire – either from wrong fit, to injury, to personality clashes.  With the market tapped out, the Philadelphia 76ers will be one of the few teams with a marketable center.  So too, many teams who needed front court help sought that help in the NBA draft.  But the draft has too challenges:  rookies typically under-perform their first year, and some fail altogether.

We’ve talked about the 2017 trade deadline as the next true event date for moving one of the Sixers players.  That’s due to the fact that NBA teams close to or entering post-season basketball have a final chance to “tune up” before the rosters are locked down.  Teams with those deficiencies mentioned earlier have a final occasion to upgrade or bolster their play.  Oftentimes, play-off bound teams end up seeking help at the center position.

Next: 5 Upperclassmen to Watch in the 2017 NBA Draft Class

The Philadelphia 76ers do not need multiple trade scenarios, just one good one. With the 2017 NBA draft appearing to be filled with NBA ready talent (see story above), targeting draft picks from that draft is a good strategy to initiate now.  You never truly regret what you do with any currency until you spend it.  The longer the Philadelphia 76ers hold onto their centers, the greater the chances are that they will be happy with the results.