3 players the Philadelphia 76ers are likely to trade

Here are players the Philadelphia 76ers are likely to send away before Feb. 8’s trade deadline.

Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Elton Brand knows moves are needed if the Sixers are to seriously compete for a championship. The high-price roster Brand meticulously put together over the last season-and-a-half still has glaring weaknesses that must be addressed. Some of the Sixers’ issues can be fixed in-house through lineup changes, but other problems that have plagued the team all season — such as shooting and playmaking — are fixable only through external means.

Rumors have tied the Sixers to several players and, if the Sixers do make a deal, expect these three players to be included in any package.

3. Mike Scott

All due respect to the Hive.

Mike Scott is a player a lot of teams would like to have. He’s nitty, gritty, and can shoot threes at a high percentage with good volume. While Scott quickly became a fan-favorite in Philadelphia when he was acquired last season due to his toughness and shooting prowess, his second year in the City of Brotherly Love has been worse than expected. He’s playing less, shooting with lower efficiency, and he often doesn’t pass the eye test. He’s also owed $9 million over the next two seasons.

Scott has proven his worth as a contributor to playoff teams. His performance in the last two postseasons — with the Washington Wizards and 76ers, respectively — demonstrates that he can step up when his number is called. However, the Sixers have plenty of room for improvement and acquiring a high-impact player before the trade deadline will likely cost Scott at the very least.

Scott can still be a key player in the Sixers’ quest for a championship. But, Elton Brand has never let sentiment hinder him from making a deal. Expect Scott to be included in any trade the Sixers make this year.