Eight possible trades to fix the Philadelphia 76ers

I’ve written multiple times about why the Sixers should pursue Chris Paul. This trade is not without risk. Clearly, you are giving up a much younger Tobias Harris, as well as draft capital and two valuable young pieces in Thybulle and Milton. There’s a chance Philadelphia can dangle Horford in the CP3 sweepstakes. That is obviously the ideal pathway.

If the Thunder shoot down Horford and inside opt for a more readily beneficial player, Harris is the option. Paul’s contract in shorter and, simply put, he’s a much better player. Age disparity and all, you take CP3 over Harris seven days a week.

With that said, the risk involved could scare away some fans. Paul is 35 years old, and as we’ve seen with Horford, it’s only a matter of time until every former All-Star hits a brick wall. If the Sixers trade Harris and half of the future for Paul, then he melts into a puddle, it could get tricky to navigate.

In the end, you have to look at it this way. Unless a major trade is made — likely involving Harris’ or Horford’s contract — the Sixers will not win a championship. This current roster is going nowhere fast. The Sixers have no cap space, no flexibility, and no overwhelmingly appetizing assets. Paul is good enough in his current state to propel Philadelphia to championship contention. It’s a risk you have to take.

If Paul flames out, Embiid gets frustrated, and the Sixers end up in a bottomless pit of despair — fine, it didn’t work. But the Sixers are already heading in that direction, and Paul is one of the most attainable players who can change that course.