Sixers’ trade deadline outlook
At this point in the season, any trade ideas I have had in the past have taken a backseat thanks to the current success of the Sixers. They have the best record in the Eastern Conference, and it is in large part due to the maturation of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. If I have deviated from my opinion on any of the Sixers stars this year, it is because their actions have spoken louder than their tweets, posts, and product endorsements. On top of that, the 76ers have a coach that has energized this team with new belief in their capabilities to go farther than they’ve gone before.
My initial skepticism on Doc Rivers has splintered. When he was first brought into the mix of potential coaching hires for Philly, I was bullish on Jason Kidd. Since his hire, the team has become one of the top defensive teams in the league in the steals, blocks, and deflections categories. In addition, the offensive system he runs has maximized the team’s collective talent. He also has helped Ben Simmons unlock confidence in his game and elevated Joel Embiid into an MVP candidate. In a nutshell, why ignore this now and risk losing players who have contributed to the current team’s success?
"I think he's just figuring out how dominant he can be."@BenSimmons25 talks @JoelEmbiid with the Inside crew after the @sixers win over the Mavericks. pic.twitter.com/zLWbmITcjd
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 26, 2021
If Elton Brand wants to bring in a nice piece to add to the rotation, I am okay with offering draft picks. The deal that brought Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III did not pay dividends, but the Sixers did not give up any key players in exchange. Can Brand secure a buyout player and add him to the bench? Sure. The logic behind my thinking is supported by what Ben Simmons said about team chemistry in his postgame interview following the Sixers win over Dallas. The chemistry with this team is as good as it’s ever been. It should not be tampered with.
From here out, the Philadelphia 76ers’ roster should stay intact, and the following things must be a constant – Embiid, Simmons, and Harris must stay determined. The role players must stay ready. Doc Rivers must stay encouraging, and Daryl Morey must stay patient.