Sixers: 3 players to target with the Al Horford trade exception

Potential Sixers trade targets using TPE: Danuel House

Let’s ignore for a second the fact that last season Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta wanted nothing to do trade-wise with his former general manager Daryl Morey and look at a Danuel House trade from a purely-basketball standpoint.

House is a certified three-point gunner, not afraid to attempt shots with a high degree of difficulty. As a result, his percentages suffered last season on a horrible Houston team — he finished the year shooting just 34.6 percent from beyond the arc. However, there’s evidence of House being a more efficient scorer: alongside more talented playmakers like James Harden and Chris Paul two seasons ago, House shot 41.6 percent from 3.

House offers very similar value to Justin Holiday positionally as a hybrid two-three, and his acquisition comes with the same caveat: any minutes House plays will take away from other young talents more entrenched in Philly’s long-term plans. However, Daryl Morey did originally identify the undrafted House in Houston three years ago as a talented wing capable of contributing to a contender, so there’s a chance he still views House as a worthwhile longshot.

Acquiring House would also allow the Sixers to maintain a wee bit of flexibility around the margins via the TPE. Since House makes just $3.7 million next season, the team would still have roughly $4.5 million to absorb additional contracts if another player below that salary number became available once the season started.

House would also command the lowest cost of the three players listed — there’s reason to believe that Houston, looking to retool and begin a new era in the wake of Harden’s departure, would happily take a second-round pick to move him along. For those reasons, acquiring House would be a worthwhile chance to take for the Sixers.