Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks once again connected in rumor mill

The Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks find themselves connected in various NBA rumors yet again. Will anything materialize in 2019?

It’s clear the Philadelphia 76ers need to revitalize the bench before competing in the playoffs. The core trio continues to play well, but Brett Brown just doesn’t have enough to work with against high-level teams. There are too many flawed, one-way players to genuinely contend.

The trade and buyout markets, of course, will dominate the discussion for numerous fans over the next month. Last season, it was Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova who signed in Philadelphia mid-season, helping to lead the Sixers to 52 wins and a first-round victory.

Both players came from the Atlanta Hawks, who are in the beginning stages of a promising rebuild. Once again the Sixers and Hawks are connected on the rumor mill, with Philadelphia buying and Atlanta willing to sell.

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One name that continues to pop up is Dewayne Dedmon, the veteran center who no doesn’t have a spot in the Hawks’ long-term plans. While his rim protection and shooting are valuable tools next to John Collins, the Hawks would be wise to ship him elsewhere for additional assets.

If a Dedmon trade doesn’t materialize, there’s a real chance he hits the buyout market. Frontcourt depth isn’t the Sixers’ top priority, but Mike Muscala and Jonah Bolden isn’t exactly cutting it against Boston and Toronto. Dedmon would play valuable minutes behind Embiid.

Another veteran who the Hawks will surely test the market for is Jeremy Lin, who the Sixers have already inquired about. While his $12.5 million contract makes negotiations a bit challenging, Lin provides a solid upgrade over T.J. McConnell in the backcourt.

The most feasible path toward acquiring Lin is dealing Wilson Chandler and second-round picks, but it’s risky to ship out such a valuable contributor. The Sixers would become even thinner in the frontcourt. You could make an argument for starting Lin, J.J. Redick, Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, but they’re losing size and switch-ability in the process.

With Lin, and presumably Dedmon, garnering interest on the trade market, it’s unlikely either one makes it to mid-season free agency. If either (or both) do, however, the Sixers should come out swinging. Dedmon was a Process Sixer, after all.

Perhaps the most interesting name connected to the Sixers — and a far more impactful one, at that — is Taurean Prince. The 25-year-old is rounding into a nice young prospect who fits the Sixers’ theoretically timeline. It’s reasonable to question why the Hawks would deal him in the first place.

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If Atlanta doesn’t like the fit between Prince, Collins and Trae Young, the Sixers should make the requisite phone calls. Finding the right price is difficult — Zhaire Smith, Markelle Fultz and the 2021 Miami pick might all be on the table — but Prince is a valuable asset.

At 6-foot-7, Prince is averaging 15.0 points in 28.7 minutes per game. He’s also shooting 36.7 percent from deep, giving the Sixers another floor spacer who can both handle the ball and defend multiple positions. Prince would also move Chandler back to the second unit.

Even with a steep price tag, the Sixers won’t have too many opportunities to add someone of Prince’s caliber. He’s on a rookie contract through next season before hitting restricted free agency, plus he’s ready to contribute to winning at a high level right now.

The Sixers need to add quality, affordable talent around the core trio. Prince accomplishes that goal while giving Philadelphia the opportunity to extend him alongside Simmons in 2020.

Building a package around Zhaire Smith or the 2021 Miami pick should tempt the Hawks, who might not want to pay Prince’s next contract. Elton Brand should be hesitant to trade both — or include Fultz in any negotiations — but again, for the right price, Prince is an incredible asset to possess.

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Atlanta indirectly helped the Sixers’ playoff push last season. Will the same be said for 2019?