According to reports, the Philadelphia 76ers are “likely” to trade the 28th overall pick in next Thursday’s NBA Draft. This comes as no surprise, with Daryl Morey and the front office clearly focused on maximizing the Sixers’ immediate title odds. The one and only goal is to deliver Joel Embiid a championship contender.
Morey has never been attached to draft picks, and even with the Sixers’ rocky depth chart, it’s hard to imagine the 28th pick having an significant role in Doc Rivers’ rotation year one. If the Sixers can add a useful veteran, a late first-round pick is a small price to pay.
Here are three targets the Sixers could explore with the 28th pick.
3 possible trades involving Sixers’ 28th pick: Terrence Ross
George Hill struggled in his initial stint with Philadelphia, but his $10 million expiring contract is a useful trade chip. With Tyrese Maxey primed to command backup point guard minutes, the Sixers could look to swap the aging Hill for more offensive firepower on the wing. The Magic should have no particular attachment to Terrence Ross at this point.
Last season, Doc Rivers’ bench units were almost universally bad on offense. Ross would give the second unit a reliable shooter and floor-spacer to pair with Maxey. Ross only hit 33.7 percent of his 3s last season, but that number is potentially misleading when you factor in the difficulty of his attempts and the lack of competitive ambition in Orlando after the trade deadline.
Ross is a sizable positional upgrade over Furkan Korkmaz, and he’s five years younger than Hill. Also of note is Ross’ remaining contract — two years, $24 million. That extra year on his deal could justify the investment given the Sixers’ lack of available cap space and the unlikelihood of re-signing Hill beyond 2022.
This is a steep price to pay for Ross on paper, but given the Sixers’ desire to compete, the immediate upgrade in fit and talent makes it worth considering. That said, Philadelphia could also draft a perimeter scorer and, albeit with less certainty, hope he produces at a rotation level.
3 possible trades involving Sixers’ 28th pick: Thaddeus Young
The Bulls’ mismanagement of Thaddeus Young last season was borderline criminal. A sixth man of the year candidate, Young was often shafted in terms of playing time and jammed into a role that didn’t maximize his unique skill set. Despite that, Chicago’s best basketball was played with Young on the floor.
If the Bulls wishes to re-sign Lauri Markkanen, the Sixers should sneak in and attempt to swipe Young. In 24.3 minutes per game last season, Young averaged 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 55.9 percent from the field. He is a tremendous all-around player who would help the Sixers on both ends.
The only red flag on Young’s statistical profile is his 26.7 percent mark from 3-point range. He didn’t take many 3s last year, instead focusing on post-ups and playmaking from the middle of the floor. He would need to adjust slightly in Philadelphia, especially if Ben Simmons is back with the team next season. In 2019-20, Young was a 35.6 percent shooter from deep on 3.5 attempts per game. There’s reason to believe his volume and efficiency can improve in a different setting.
Even with a slightly awkward fit, Young’s playmaking and versatility are rare assets. He would provide the perfect small-ball five option behind Embiid, with the ability to command possessions in the post, or push the tempo in transition. On defense, Young can switch all over. He’s a three or four-position defender, depending on the matchup. He would find ways to help.
The Bulls do not own a first-round pick. If a prospect catches their eye, Philadelphia is a prime trade target to get them in the mix.
3 possible trades involving Sixers’ 28th pick: Robert Covington
The Blazers are in a tricky spot, working on borrowed time to build a contender around Damian Lillard before he asks out. Portland will have to balance that potentially fruitless effort with the demands of the future. If the Blazers do not expect to have Covington around after 2021-22, then the Sixers should jump at the opportunity to acquire him.
This hypothetical may not even be enough for Covington, who has $12.9 million in expiring money on his contract. Health is a factor, but Covington is one of the NBA’s most dominant off-ball defenders. Last season, he was one of three players to register over 70 blocks and 70 steals. His talent for disruption is what once earned him a key role in Philadelphia, to the point where he was the cornerstone of a Jimmy Butler trade.
Covington probably wouldn’t start this time around, but would instead play a wide-ranging role in the second unit. He could serve as a small-ball five of sorts behind Embiid — especially if Simmons sticks around. He can also spend time at either forward spot, with deep range on his 3-point shot. To combine his defense with Matisse Thybulle in the second unit, on top of Embiid and possibly Simmons in the starting five, would make Philadelphia a very hard team to score on.
Like Chicago, Portland does not have a first-round pick this year. Paul Reed feels like a throw-in, but he’s the reigning G-League MVP and very clearly an NBA talent. His upside as a rim-running, spot-up shooting oddball forward could compensate for the loss of Covington. The Blazers only make this trade, of course, if post-Dame contingencies feel necessary. Young talent will not convince Dame to stick around, even if he’s a big George Hill fan.