Here are some potential Philadelphia 76ers trade solutions that don’t break the bank.
The 2019-20 Philadelphia 76ers season started with so much hope and optimism, but quickly fizzled out and ended in disaster. While it appears the Sixers are zeroing in on a new coach, simply replacing Brett Brown will not do nearly enough to get the Sixers on the level of the elite teams in the East. The Sixers need to make major changes to the roster.
While there has been much talk and focus on high profile names such as Chris Paul and Buddy Hield, the Sixers need to have backup plans in case they miss out on those names. Here is a list of some realistic, under the radar trade targets for the Sixers.
1. Dennis Schroder
THE TRADE
Schroder will make just over $15 million in 2020-21, the final year of his deal. This trade would likely consist of Josh Richardson and a salary filler, with Mike Scott making the most sense.
HOW SCHRODER WOULD HELP THE SIXERS
Schroder had a bumpy few years after the Hawks made him their permanent starter in 2016-17, but finally put it all together this season in Oklahoma City. Schroder is a scoring guard who can distribute the ball and hold his own on the defensive end when at his best. When at his worst, Schroder is a black hole offensively and gets roasted on the perimeter on defense.
For the Sixers, they’d be betting on their new coach being able to get the best out of Schroder. If they can, he’d be a perfect fit next to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, and could potentially move the needle in terms of the Sixers’standing in the East.
If Schroder regresses here, he’s an expiring contract and you move on after one season. Chris Paul should be the absolute first call the Sixers make whenever the offseason kicks off, but if they can’t get it done, they should stay on the line and ask Sam Presti about his other point guard.
2. Otto Porter Jr.
THE TRADE
Otto Porter will make a whooping $28 million next year, the final year of his contract. Therefore, this deal would have to revolve around either Tobias Harris or Al Horford. It seemed like the Bulls soured on Porter recently, and with new management, it’s possible the Sixers could poach him. The Bulls would likely prefer Horford to Harris in a deal, and the Sixers would almost certainly need to add additional compensation.
HOW PORTER WOULD HELP THE SIXERS
When healthy, Porter is a very good defender with a surprising amount of offensive prowess. He could be an ideal fit next to Embiid and Simmons. He has shot over 40 percent from 3 in each of the last three full seasons he played. He is obviously vastly overpaid at nearly $30 million per year, but so are Horford and Harris, and Porter is arguably better than both when healthy. He’s certainly a superior fit.
If they did go this route, the Sixers would still need to add a guard with the ability to score, as that is not Porter’s skillset. But the Sixers would be wise to give Chicago a call and feel out Porter’s availability
3. Spencer Dinwiddie
THE TRADE
Dinwiddie will make $11 million next season, with a player option for 2021-22. The salary matches up almost perfectly with Josh Richardson. Given Dinwiddie’s need for the ball and the return of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving next season in Brooklyn, the Nets will almost certainly look to move him. Richardson would be a logical fit in Brooklyn.
HOW DINWIDDIE WOULD HELP THE SIXERS
Just watch him play. Dinwiddie can dribble, shoot, and pass. It seems standard, but the Sixers haven’t had a player who was good at those things since Jrue Holiday. He can break down a defense and is a good spot-up shooter. This makes him a natural fit with the Sixers. They desperately need someone who is capable of getting their own shots, and Dinwiddie is that.
Furthermore, Dinwiddie would be a great target for Joel Embiid out of the post, something he did not have in 2019-20. This trade almost makes too much sense for both teams to happen.
4. Evan Fournier
THE TRADE
Fournier has a $17 million player option for 2020-21, so he’ll need to exercise that in order for this to work. But the expectation is that he will, considering the uncertainty of how the pandemic and loss of fan revenue will affect the salary cap and teams’ willingness to spend in free agency. Once again, the trade for Fournier would likely revolve around Josh Richardson and a salary filler.
HOW FOURNIER WOULD HELP THE SIXERS
He’s a very good 3-point shooter, particularly when moving off-ball. This is something the Sixers dearly missed this year following the loss of J.J. Redick. While Fournier certainly isn’t as good a shooter as Redick, he could rekindle some of the magic that Joel Embiid had with Redick offensively.
Embiid said himself that he’ll never find a partner like Redick again, but if Fournier could be even 50 percent of what Embiid had with Redick, the Sixers would take a massive step forward.
5. Luke Kennard
THE TRADE
This one would likely be smaller than the previous four. Kennard makes just $5 million in 2020-21, the final year of his rookie deal. This would likely be some combination of Zhaire Smith, Mike Scott, and second-round picks for Kennard. The Pistons have been looking to move him since the deadline, and you have to imagine their desire will only increase as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.
HOW KENNARD WOULD HELP THE SIXERS
Kennard has gotten off to a rocky start in the NBA. He’s shown plenty of flashes, but his career has largely been overshadowed by injuries and the guy who was picked one spot behind him in the 2017 NBA Draft, Donovan Mitchell.
He’s a great buy-low candidate for any team, but specifically for the Sixers. He has some untapped scoring potential, as he can break down defenders and is surprisingly shifty when driving to the rim. He also has the potential to be an elite 3-point shooter. He’s always going to struggle on the defensive end, but the hope is that with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid behind him the Sixers would be able to live with it.
Kennard has all the makings of a late bloomer and the Sixers should place a call to Detroit this offseason.