The Philadelphia 76ers could make some interesting trades with Northwest Division teams.
After covering potential trades with the Pacific Division, it’s time to move onto the Northwest Division. The Philadelphia 76ers and their general manager Elton Brand need to change up the roster this offseason and the Northwest Division in particular gives them a chance to do so.
One potential trade from every Northwest Division team: Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are one of the surprise teams in the NBA as they are currently facing the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. They have a great duo in Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic that they can rely upon moving forward.
Regardless of the result of their postseason run, the Nuggets need to continue to surround that duo with complementary players. That’s where the Sixers can become a potential trade partner for the Nuggets.
Each team improves from this hypothetical deal. The 76ers get a player in Will Barton who is purely a shot taker and creator. He’s obviously not elite doing so, but he’d be the best in Philly if he was traded there. Last season, Barton averaged 15.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Having him would go a long way in fixing the roster construction issue facing the Sixers.
Barton doesn’t provide much defensively and that’s why trading for Josh Richardson makes sense Philly. Richardson would benefit from the passing of Jokic and he fits their need for a 3-and-D player on the perimeter since Gary Harris’ shot has disappeared during the last two regular seasons.
Richardson doesn’t require the ball as much as Barton does so that means there will be more for offensive touches for Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Zhaire Smith is a nice young player who helps make the deal work financially and should help make the Nuggets interested in this deal if it were presented to them.