The Sixer Sense
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The Sixers should pursue Marcus Smart or Avery Bradley in a trade

By Daniel Stets

BOSTON, MA - MAY 19: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Two of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 19: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Two of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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The addition of Gordon Hayward makes some players on Boston’s roster expendable, and the Philadelphia 76ers should take notice.

After Gordon Hayward’s, interesting decision to join the Boston Celtics, the Celtics may look to trade a player to preserve cap space. Boston is already considering moving on from Marcus Smart or Jae Crowder. One must wonder if Boston would be willing to part with Avery Bradley as well, due to his pending unrestricted free agency next summer. Jae Crowder, due to his incredibly favorable contract situation, probably would be out of reach for the Philadelphia 76ers. However, Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley may be players Philadelphia could trade for, due to the fact that they’re on the last year of their deals. The Sixers should try and make a move to acquire one of those two players, if the price is right.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia receives: Marcus Smart

Boston receives: Richaun Holmes, T.J. McConnell, rights to Mathias Lessort

The Philadelphia 76ers signed Amir Johnson to a one year deal this summer. They also drafted Anžejs Pasečņiks with the 25th pick in the draft this year. Philadelphia could let Amir Johnson backup Embiid this year, and bring over Pasecniks next year. Philadelphia could also sign a veteran big man for cheap if they want more Embiid insurance this year. The Sixers do this trade because they acquire a very good and versatile defender in Marcus Smart. Philadelphia would also have the cap space to re-sign him next year, a luxury Boston may not have.

Boston acquires two good, and cheap role players on dirt cheap contracts for the next two years in Richaun Holmes and Tj McConnell. Out of the 60 players selected in the 2015 NBA draft, Holmes ranks seventh in win shares, 5th in win shares per 48 minutes, tied with Myles Turner for second in BPM, and sixth in VORP. T.J. McConnell led the Sixers in win shares last year (tied with Richaun Holmes).  He’s also very smart with the basketball, which is shown by his 6.6 assists per game to only two turnovers per game.

Boston gets both of these players on great contracts, as both McConnell and Holmes make $1.47 million this year, and have a team option of $1.6 million next year, this will be beneficial for a cap strapped team. The Celtics also get Mathias Lessort, a rookie Philadelphia selected with the 50th pick in the draft. He may never be an NBA player, but if he becomes one, he becomes another cheap rotational big man for a team that will likely be up against the cap for the forseeable future.

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It’s hard to know who Boston values more, Smart or Bradley. It’s also hard to know what their market value will be next summer. If Philadelphia wanted to acquire Bradley, they could offer a similar package to Smart and also include draft compensation if need be. Regardless of what happens, it will be interesting what value Boston can get back for some of their players. One must wonder if Phialdelphia would be interested.