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Sixers mailbag: Brett Brown shouldn’t be on the hot seat

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to head coach Brett Brown during a timeout against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to head coach Brett Brown during a timeout against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 9: Amir Johnson #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 9, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 9: Amir Johnson #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 9, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Who should the Sixers target at the deadline?

At this point in both the season and the Sixers’ development, it’s easier to gauge who the team should get rid of than who they should target. Obviously, any time you can get a younger asset or draft pick for an expiring and/or veteran contract, there’s reason to consider it.

That’s where Jerryd Bayless and Amir Johnson come to mind.

Bayless isn’t an expiring contract, but perhaps a more established competitor could be looking to add some perimeter depth that can shoot the ball and occasionally act as a the facilitator. Bayless has played some awful basketball as of late, but we’ve seen him produce at a high level elsewhere — most recently in Milwaukee.

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If a team like Cleveland is looking to sure up their backcourt reserves beyond Jose Calderon and an injured Derrick Rose, maybe they take a swing if the financial aspects work out right. Something along those lines is possible. The fact that Bayless has another two years and $18 million left might scare off some teams, though.

Johnson’s contract is expiring, which makes his more appealing. It’s essentially an $11 million trade chip that can be cleared off the books next summer, whether it be opening up space for a rebuilding team or giving a competitor more room to sign a big-name free agent. Teams like expiring contracts, and Johnson hasn’t exactly looked better than Richaun Holmes and Trevor Booker recently.

I don’t see a deal with Cleveland getting done, but Cedi Osman is a personal favorite of mine when it comes to under-the-radar prospects who could be snagged for relatively cheap. Phoenix has some previously high-level prospects like Marquese Chriss who could benefit from a new home as well, with several similar situations elsewhere around the league.