Philadelphia 76ers: Potential for non-Anthony Davis trades with Pelicans

By Christopher Kline | Jan 28, 2019

(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

As the Anthony Davis floodgates open, the Philadelphia 76ers could take advantage of the looming fire sale.

Just weeks before the Feb. 7 trade deadline, Anthony Davis has officially requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans. While there’s a chance NOLA waits until the summer to trade Davis — the Celtics, who have the most assets, can’t add Davis until then — a deal before the deadline seems plausible.

The Philadelphia 76ers should inquire. Davis is a top-10 player who immediately raises the Sixers’ ceiling in the Eastern Conference. Building around two big men is challenging in 2019, but Joel Embiid and Davis are the best 7-footers on the planet. There’s enough skill and finesse to make it work.

Assuming the Sixers don’t trade for Davis, however, there’s still room to benefit from his trade request. The Pelicans are trending toward a rebuild, which means the team’s other veteran assets are now attainable.

More from Rumors

The main attraction, of course, is Jrue Holiday — the former Sixer whose departure kickstarted The Process. It would bring things full circle, completing the core with an All-Star the Sixers jettisoned to begin building it. The storyline is perfect.

To make things better, the fit happens to be perfect as well. There’s some risk involved in trading away even more depth, but Holiday is worth it on talent alone. He’s one of the best defensive guards in the NBA and an elite secondary option on offense.

An Embiid-Holiday-Ben Simmons–Jimmy Butler–J.J. Redick starting five can both score and defend with the league’s elite. There isn’t another team outside Golden State with four top-30 players. The Sixers might have the best defensive quartet in recent memory.

Holiday is averaging 21.2 points and 8.1 assists per game for a depth-starved Pelicans team, struggling to keep them relevant alongside AD. He’s only shooting 32.7 percent from deep on the season, but he’s a proven shooter with a much stronger track record.

The workings of a deal are pretty simple: Wilson Chandler, Markelle Fultz and filler. It would probably require one or two first-round picks (depending on how highly the Pelicans value Fultz), but the Sixers have enough to make a competitive offer for Holiday. That 2021 Miami pick might come in handy.

If the Sixers avoid pursuit of a fourth star, there are still other viable trade candidates on the Pelicans roster. Nikola Mirotic is an expiring contract who provides an immediate upgrade over Brett Brown’s stretch fours of recent seasons. Even Julius Randle is intriguing.

If the goal is to strengthen the bench, Darius Miller, E’Twaun Moore, Ian Clark and Elfrid Payton should peak Elton Brand‘s interest. Miller and Clark are cheap expiring contracts, while Moore — who’s averaging 12.3 points per game and shooting 41.7 percent from deep — has two years, $17 million left on his deal.

Payton, another potential full-circle process addition, would likely come with mixed reviews. He’s not an elite shooter, but has upped his three-point percentage to a career-high 35.1 percent. Add in the defensive boost, and he’s a clear upgrade over T.J. McConnell.

Next. Hoops, Hype and History - Branding the Sixers. dark

In simple terms, the Sixers have options. Whether it’s a mega-offer for Davis, a strong push for Jrue, or minor exchanges for additional bench depth, the Pelicans’ impending break-up could prove beneficial for Philadelphia.