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.
Sixers trade scenario: Norman Powell, the other Raptors guard
While his name carries less prestige than Kyle Lowry, there are far worse consolation prizes than Norman Powell. The market for the 27-year-old promises to be robust, but the Sixers should have a compelling package available to them. How far Morey is willing to go would determine their chances of landing Powell.
The Raptors will almost assuredly have multiple teams who are willing to trade a first-round pick for Powell. The Sixers should have no qualms about that, especially if it’s this year’s pick, which could end up in the 25-30 range. Whether the Sixers are comfortable including the likes of Matisse Thybulle or Tyrese Maxey, however, is likely the crux of this hypothetical. If not, the Sixers’ pieces are generally less impressive than what Toronto can find from other contenders.
SIXERS RECEIVE: Norman Powell, DeAndre’ Bembry
RAPTORS RECEIVE: Matisse Thybulle, Mike Scott, Terrance Ferguson, Sixers 2021 first-round pick
This season, Powell is averaging 19.5 points on 49.5 percent and 43.4 percent from deep. He will not come cheap. This is probably on the higher side of Powell’s price range — Thybulle and a first is steep, and he’s extended to command a significant contract in free agency — but given the slew of teams who could justifiably pursue Powell, the Sixers may need to operate aggressively.
The Sixers’ lack of perimeter shot creation is well documented. Powell is a high-volume shooter who provides plenty of punch off the dribble. He would fit quite well in Philadelphia, and the Sixers would also get to keep Danny Green around.
Sixers trade scenario: The perfectly adequate George Hill
No guard on this list is more attainable than George Hill, who has spent the season toiling away in OKC. The Thunder have no interest in winning this season, and Hill hasn’t played since Jan. 24 because of injury. He’s someone the Sixers can feasibly get without coughing up valuable assets.
Hill will return to the court soon, and the Sixers would have him for the upcoming playoff push. The 34-year-old is past his prime, but is still a savvy ball-handler and elite 3-point shooter who has contributed to contenders in the recent past. Just last season he finished fifth in Sixth Man of the Year voting with Milwaukee. In the 14 games he has played this season, Hill is averaging 11.8 points and 3.1 assists on 50.8 percent shooting and 38.6 percent from deep.
SIXERS RECEIVE: George Hill
THUNDER RECEIVE: Mike Scott, Tony Bradley, Knicks 2021 second-round pick
This price could fluctuate, most likely in a direction more beneficial to OKC. Other contenders — namely the two LA teams — have been tied to Hill, and there are no doubt other teams willing to bid. The Sixers may have to cough up more than one second-round pick, or even consider unloading this year’s first-round pick. If the Sixers go deep sea fishing and come up empty, a smaller fish like Hill will look more and more appealing.
Sixers trade scenario: Salvaging Delon Wright from the Pistons
The 28-year-old Delon Wright has spent the season in Detroit’s starting lineup. Similarly to Hill in OKC, Wright is of very little use to his current team, as the Pistons are locked in the chaotic downward spiral one can only call tanking. He, too, will have multiple suitors on the open market, but is likely well within Philadelphia’s price range.
Wright does not space the floor as well as Hill, but he’s a nifty scorer and facilitator who has hit 35.6 percent of his 3s this season. He’s also a more than adequate perimeter defender who would hold his own in the postseason. The Sixers would do well to add another two-way ball-handler to the second unit.
SIXERS RECEIVE: Delon Wright
PISTONS RECEIVE: Mike Scott, Terrance Ferguson, Knicks 2021 second-round pick, Sixers 2023 second-round pick
Wright does not have the established reputation of George Hill, but he’s a comparable talent who would help the Sixers equally, if not a smidge more. His price is likely similar in comparison, with the absolute high point being a first-round pick in addition to salary filler. The Sixers should be hesitant to pay such a steep price for Wright (or Hill), but Wright is younger and could stick around longer. That’s a factor Morey will no doubt consider if the Sixers revert to less expensive options.
Sixers trade scenario: A long-term investment in Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball has been the center of controversy and spectacle since his high school days. Too often with the 23-year-old point guard, the noise drowns out the facts. People harp on nonexistent flaws and criticize him for a father he cannot control. At the end of the day, Ball is one of the most appealing names linked to the Sixers. I would argue, the most appealing name outside Kyle Lowry.
The Sixers would need to give up considerable assets to get Ball, who the Pelicans are likely content to keep on the roster. While Lonzo’s impending contract extension could force some teams (New Orleans included) to balk, the Sixers are devoid of cap space for the next few seasons and are locked firmly in win-now mode. Giving Ball some extra money in restricted free agency is a better alternative to not having him at all.
SIXERS RECEIVE: Lonzo Ball, Nicolo Melli
PELICANS RECEIVE: Matisse Thybulle, Mike Scott, Vincent Poirier, Sixers 2021 first-round pick, Sixers 2023 second-round pick, Sixers 2025 second-round pick
Ball is one of the smartest decision-makers in basketball, not to mention a spectacular defender who would provide the Sixers with even more versatility at 6-foot-6. Smaller lineups built around Ball and Simmons would thrive in transition, while Ball’s elite 3-point shooting (38.5 percent on 7.8 attempts per game) would help space the floor around Embiid.
While Ball does not give the Sixers much juice as a shot creator in the halfcourt, his age, restricted free agency rights, and the benefits of another 3-and-D guard, should help Daryl Morey sleep at night. He would provide a significant boost to the starting five, while also giving the Sixers — at long last — a half-decent entrance passer to feed Embiid.