Sixers: 5 paths to backcourt upgrade at trade deadline

The Philadelphia 76ers have been connected to several guards ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. There is no position on the roster in more glaring need of an upgrade, and Daryl Morey — at least publicly — views this team as a bonafide title contender. He will make moves with the Sixers’ postseason chances in mind.

Let’s discuss some trade scenarios involving the names presently tied to Philadelphia.

Sixers trade scenario: Selling the farm for Kyle Lowry

The 34 (almost 35)-year-old Kyle Lowry will naturally have his doubters in Philadelphia, if only because of age. He’s much older than the core group and will warrant a significant financial commitment in the offseason. Even so, he’s an All-Star talent and proven champion. He’s worth a pretty hefty return.

Toronto will have another big suitor in Miami, which is reportedly Lowry’s preferred destination. While the uncertainty of Lowry’s future should invoke precaution, the Sixers are in a position to win now. Lowry is a perfect fit on the roster, and he’s a Philly native who went to Villanova. A strong campaign and a deep playoff run, even if it results in something short of a championship, could easily convince him to stay.

Per The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Sixers are working on three-team structures to land Lowry. The general idea is, presumably, to leverage any interest in Danny Green into more assets to provide Toronto. The Raptors have no need for Green, whereas a contender in need of a good 3-and-D wing (basically every contender ever) might be willing to part with a pick or two.

Here’s a general framework.

SIXERS RECEIVE: Kyle Lowry, Trey Burke

RAPTORS RECEIVE: Matisse Thybulle, Terrance Ferguson, James Johnson, Sixers 2021 first-round pick, Mavericks 2021 second-round pick, Sixers 2023 first-round pick (top 8 protected), Mavericks 2025 second-round pick

MAVERICKS RECEIVE: Danny Green, Mike Scott

This is a lot, certainly. To give up Green, Thybulle, and two firsts is a steep price to pay, especially with the aforementioned uncertainty over Lowry’s future — both free agency-related and age-related. That said, Lowry is a tremendous player who does drastically improve the Sixers’ title odds. There’s not much margin for victory this season, but when Embiid is the MVP, it’s time to do everything in one’s power to bring a championship to Philadelphia. Morey understands that better than anyone.

He will not cross a line that shouldn’t be crossed. Given his working relationship with Toronto’s front office, Lowry probably doesn’t come to the Sixers unless he wants to come to the Sixers. If his heart is truly set on Miami, then his talents will be taken to South Beach. If the Sixers do have a chance, however, the price will be steep. They won’t outbid Miami with Mike Scott and some seconds.