If the Sixers do get involved with the Wizards’ mess, it might be our first opportunity to gauge Markelle Fultz‘s value on the trade market. The Sixers were hesitant to deal Fultz for Kawhi Leonard during the offseason, but it’s clear his value is trending in the wrong direction.
At this point, there are valid questions about Fultz’s future in the NBA. He’s still a 20-year-old point guard with obvious talent, but we’ve never seen shooting woes in the same vein. He’s a unique case that may or may not get solved.
Kelly Oubre Jr. is a name Sixer fans have mentioned quite a bit in recent days. He’s only shooting 28 percent from deep this season, but is also just 22 years old. He has upside on both ends, can get buckets in the second unit, and is working alongside Joel Embiid in the Drew Hanlen-Pure Sweat umbrella.
The contract is a question mark, as Oubre will hit restricted free agency next summer. If the Sixers are forced to match a deal, it would at least be a three-year commitment. It might also limit their cap space elsewhere on the market. You don’t want to trade Fultz for a brief rental, unless it’s clearing room for a max-level free agent.
That’s where the other pieces come into play. Tomas Satoransky has seen a decreased role this season, but he’s someone who fits the Sixers’ bench (especially as a potential Fultz replacement). He’s a 6-foot-7 ball handler who is a career 40.7 percent three-point shooter. He’d get minutes.
How the Wizards value Fultz would determine the rest of the package. Troy Brown Jr. still has considerable value as a recent top-15 pick who performed well in Summer League. Fultz should hold more value than Oubre in a vacuum, especially if the Wizards are hitting reset.
Furkan Korkmaz‘s recent hot streak gives some hope regarding his NBA future as long wing who can shoot. The Sixers declined his option, though, which will make him an unrestricted free agent in 2019.
There might be picks thrown in on both sides here. The Sixers might laugh Washington off the phone, or vice versa. I doubt it will be the former, but the Sixers still seem committed to growing Markelle in-house. An Oubre trade could be tricky.