The Sixer Sense
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NBA Rumors: Can Philadelphia 76ers facilitate Cavs Kings trade?

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 24: Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot and General Manager Bryan Colangelo attend a press conference after being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft on June 24, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 24: Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot and General Manager Bryan Colangelo attend a press conference after being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft on June 24, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Best moves are unexpected

So in the end, the Philadelphia 76ers walk away having given up SG Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (3 years) and PF Amir Johnson (1 year). But in return the get SG Vince Carter (1 year), PF Channing Frye (1 year), PG Frank Mason III (3 years) plus the Cavaliers 2018 1st round pick (24) and swap rights for the Sacramento Kings 2018 2nd round pick (31 in exhange for 46).

And for the moment, the Philadelphia 76ers continue to try “right-fitting” a roster around the likes of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and a soon-to-be-healthy-hopefully Markelle Fultz. The addition of veterans Carter and Frye, plus the suprising upside of Mason III, gives this roster more looks going forward. And while the departure of Luwawu-Cabarrot is not ideal, it pre-empts the wing logjam when the team gets Furkan Korkmaz healthy and adds wings in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Don’t hesitate

While many fans wisely insist that the Philadelphia 76ers wait on trading still-developing assets, there is a short window of discovery here. Embiid and Simmons are already on the court, and when Markelle Fultz joins them, the team will be set for their key players.  It’s critical that the team adds the specialty players now. On one hand, who will lead the team in scoring off the bench? On the other hand, who can be counted on to score as the buzzer sounds?  And finally, who gives this team a defensive boost to preserve the lead?

Next: The Philadelphia 76ers’ fourth quarter problems

This is a young team, but the infusion of veterans has had mixed results so far.  And while those mixed results have tempered the Sixers performance so far, the team needn’t pull the plug on considering veterans for a playoff run. Bryan Colangelo’s job of giving head coach Brett Brown the best possible roster does not end. But with an approaching trade deadline, he and the entire staff must consider all possibilities and angles.  This is the right time to consider shaking up the roster. They won’t get another chance until after the playoffs.