Sixers rumors: Nemanja Bjelica on the radar

The Sixers are rumored to have interest in Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica.

As the March trade deadline approaches, we can expect the Philadelphia 76ers to diligently pursue avenues toward improvement. Daryl Morey has dubbed this season “championship or bust,” and maximizing the best season of Joel Embiid’s career is absolutely priority number one. It goes without saying that the Sixers will be involved in trade rumors.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic ($), Philadelphia has interest in Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica. The former Euroleague MVP has spent six years in the NBA, averaging 8.0 points and 4.7 rebounds on .465/.390/.775 shooting splits over that span.

The 32-year-old has been dropped from Sacramento’s rotation this season as the Kings look to retool around De’Aaron Fox. Bjelica would make a great deal of sense in Philadelphia. He’s happy bombing away from deep. Last season, he shot 41.9 percent from 3-point range on 4.4 attempts per game as a starter.

Philadelphia’s lack of a stretch big in the second unit has been a point of emphasis all season. Mike Scott has missed time due to injury, while Dwight Howard is a matchup-dependent defender and a clunky fit offensively. Bjelica doesn’t solve any issues on defense, but he can split time between the four and five.

The Sixers’ interest in Bjelica comes as no surprise, seeing as Philadelphia tried to sign him a couple summers ago. He eventually spurned the Sixers in favor of Sacramento, but that union may be predestined. Daryl Morey is better than most at working the margins, and Bjelica is a player worthy of playing time.

Bjelica is on an expiring contract worth $7.15 million. The Sixers can comfortably match salaries with Mike Scott, or use the trade exception that accompanied Danny Green’s arrival. Either way, it’s a move the Sixers should strongly consider. The price shouldn’t exceed salary filler and a second-round pick or two.