Philadelphia 76ers: Is Evan Fournier a potential trade target?

Should the Philadelphia 76ers be eyeing Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier on the trade market?

With training camp on the horizon and a GM search underway, the Philadelphia 76ers might be done making moves this summer. All 15 contract slots are filled and both two-way contracts have been used. At this moment, there are no pressing needs.

That doesn’t mean the front office is done looking for ways to better the team, though, and our friends at HoopsHabit have an idea. Here’s their proposed trade:

There is a certain level of controversy here — controversy that, oddly enough, might go both ways. Some appreciate Robert Covington’s defensive prowess and will scoff at the idea of trading him. Some will point to his playoff disappointments and question Orlando’s motivation in this trade.

And, while I tend to lean toward the former, there are very legitimate arguments on both sides. Covington has his share of issues and Evan Fournier is a talented player who doesn’t get enough recognition in a small market.

The Sixers lack shooting to some degree and Fournier would give them a nice boost in that department. Depending on the state of Markelle Fultz, this deal might involve Fournier becoming a sixth man, where his playmaking and shot creation would be on display.

At just 25 years old, Fournier — despite losing his hairline in drastic fashion — is just reaching the peak of his career. He averaged 17.8 points per game last season, leading the Magic in scoring and shooting 37.9 percent from deep.

Fournier took on a volume scoring role last season, but he’s capable of transitioning into a complementary role next to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. If he’s coming off the bench, his volume scoring might come in handy when starters are sitting.

You also get Jonathan Simmons, a hard-nosed defender and versatile wing who could play valuable minutes beside Wilson Chandler in the second unit. Taking on an expanded role in his first season with Orlando, Simmons averaged 13.9 points in 29.4 minutes per game.

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While not an elite shooter, Simmons did his 33.8 percent of his deep balls last season. He can space the floor, defend three positions and add some ancillary playmaking skills to the second unit.

Separate from this hypothetical, a smaller-scale deal for Simmons would make sense — something we’ve suggested in the past.

With that said, this trade in particular might not be the right move for Philadelphia. The idea of Fournier and Simmons is appealing, but giving up Covington might be too steep a price.

Perhaps I’m overvaluing Covington, whose offensive limitations are undeniable. Fournier provides more value on that end, while Simmons might recoup some of that value on defense. Plus the Sixers are adding depth, essentially swapping one quality rotation piece for two.

But Covington is an elite defender. One of the 10 or 15 best defenders on the planet. The Sixers would be risking quite a bit giving him up, especially considering his team-friendly contract. Covington’s importance on defense got overshadowed by Embiid last season, but his versatility played a big role in shaping Brett Brown’s rotations.

He made first team All-Defense. That’s really, really good. Being among the best at his position, especially in a wing-driven league, gives Covington value that Fournier and Simmons simply don’t provide.

Assuming Covington doesn’t stagnate completely next season, it would make sense to stand pat and avoid this kind of trade. Use Covington’s contract in a deal that brings in star talent — not a lateral move, like Fournier and Simmons.

On top of that, Fournier’s contract is one the Sixers would be wise to avoid. He’s set to make $17 million per season through 2020-21, assuming he accepts his player option. That’s two at the least, three at the most seasons of Fournier locking up significant cap space.

In this scenario, the Sixers would still maintain a max contract slot next summer. But paying Fournier that money over an extended period of time isn’t something the front office should be willing to do.

He’s just not that valuable in comparison to Covington, who’s on a smaller contract that decreases each season.

While Fournier and Simmons would be positives in a vacuum, financial reasons, combined with Covington’s chemistry and defensive prowess, make that trade too risky. The Sixers should look for shooting and playmaking elsewhere.