The Philadelphia 76ers need a blockbuster. Let me help.
After a season of profound disappointment, the Philadelphia 76ers are left on the brink of insignificance. If the front office is going to salvage whatever is left of “the process,” it will require some creativity — and more likely than not, the departure of some valuable assets.
The Sixers should absolutely not trade Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons. Any trades should aim to restructure the roster around Embiid and Simmons, not replace them. For all the valid criticisms of Philadelphia’s two young superstars, it’s almost always better to hold on to your young superstars. End of story.
With that said, no one else is untouchable. For the right price, Philadelphia should happily part with anyone on the roster if it improves their immediate outlook. The Sixers are built to contend, and with no cap space and a rigid financial situation, it’s important to squeeze as much as possible out of a win-now situation.
That’s not to say the Sixers should blindly mortgage the future, but if it takes some first-round picks to shed Al Horford or Tobias Harris, you have to do it — especially if the return includes remotely beneficial players. Such is life when you’ve royally screwed up your payroll.
Here are eight trades to save the Sixers. Naturally, a disclaimer: most of these trades will involve some level of conjecture. This is all hypothetical, none of it rooted in factual real-life information, and very much of my own doing. Do not consider this article a “report” of some sort. These are not rumors. These are suggestions.