The Sixer Sense
Fansided

NBA Rumors: Should Philadelphia 76ers seek Mavs Wes Matthews?

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 25: Robert Covington #33 celebrates with JJ Redick #17 of the Philadelphia 76ers against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on October 25, 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 - OCTOBER 25: Robert Covington #33 celebrates with JJ Redick #17 of the Philadelphia 76ers against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on October 25, 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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Philadelphia 76ers
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 25: Robert Covington #33 celebrates with JJ Redick #17 of the Philadelphia 76ers against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on October 25, 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) /

The Philadelphia 76ers struggle to keep wings healthy. So as the team approaches the NBA Trade Deadline, should they seek Dallas Mavericks Wes Matthews?

The Philadelphia 76ers had a deep roster on the wings: J.J. Redick, Furkan Korkmaz, Jerryd Bayless, Markelle Fultz, Nik Stauskas, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Robert Covington, and Justin Anderson.  But Stauskas was traded, Fultz and Korkmaz have been out for nearly the entire season. Bayless and Redick are pulling up injured at a higher than expected rate. And so, the Philadelphia 76ers must rely upon the three-point shooting of Robert Covington, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, and Justin Anderson for the time being.

And so far, they have held their ground. In particular, Luwawu-Cabarrot is having a revival in 2018.  If Redick and Bayless get healthy, the team may be just fine through the second half of the season.

Hope for the best?

So far, that “hope for the best” has resulted in less than the best.  The team is currently 23-21, and is seventh in the NBA Eastern Conference. Only the top eight teams in each conference advance to post season.

While some look at the Philadelphia 76er as under achievers, this is a team which had won just 10 games two seasons prior and 28 games last season. And while injury played a major role in those unsuccessful seasons, this team is not immune to the injury bug whatsoever.  In fact, this is another season where the team is facing multiple player injuries to presumed starters/contributors.  All the while, this team has an open roster spot, but the team needs help now.