The 2023 NBA trade deadline is fast approaching and the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to make moves to improve their championship odds. While the current rumor mill is rather subdued in comparison to years past, there is always the lingering possibility of a blockbuster trade. And, if we know anything about Daryl Morey, it’s that he is willing to swing for the fences if the right opportunity presents itself.
So, what would a Sixers blockbuster look like? After the James Harden trade (and the Danny Green trade before it), Philadelphia can’t trade another first-round pick until 2029. That hamstrings their ability to match teams with a full draft-pick war chest in the event of a bidding war.
On the other hand, Philadelphia does have intriguing talent on the roster. Tobias Harris has been mentioned in trade rumors all season, while the likes of Matisse Thybulle, Paul Reed, and Jaden Springer are prime trade fodder if Philadelphia ever needs to sweeten their offer.
Potential 76ers blockbuster trade for OG Anunoby
The Sixers will face an uphill battle in pursuit of any star due to the lack of trade capital available to them following the James Harden trade. That said, Daryl Morey is well-known for big swings and Philadelphia is clearly within arm’s reach of winning a championship. Players like OG Anunoby can move the needle.
It’s unclear whether or not the Raptors will tear it down at the trade deadline. Currently the East’s 12-seed, Toronto is far removed from the contender status it once held. Anunoby is only 25 years old and has emerged as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate on the wing.
Reporting would suggest a high asking price, with the New York Knicks willing to sacrifice multiple first-round picks to acquire the Indiana product. The Sixers don’t really have two first-round picks to offer. Instead, young talent and one first-round pick (plus pick swaps) could be enough to tempt the Raptors.
The merits of this hypothetical trade are ultimately determined by one’s opinion of Anunoby. Stylistically, he’s not better suited to Philadelphia’s current system than Tobias Harris, but he’s a much more potent isolation scorer and a significant upgrade defensively. His presence on the wing could bolster the Sixers’ wayward defense. A crunch-time quartet of Embiid, Tucker, Anunoby, and Melton would present quite the challenge for opposing offenses.
Anunoby is a more talented isolation scorer than Tobias Harris. He’s averaging 16.9 points on .457/.366/.821 splits for Toronto, compared to Harris’s average of 16.3 points on .504/.378/.857 splits. Both players average the same amount of 3-point attempts per 36 minutes (5.3), so Anunoby would theoretically function well as a floor-spacer playing off of Embiid and Harden.
The Sixers also get Gary Trent Jr. to bolster the wing with volume shooting and the occasional burst of self-creation. He would presumably slide into the second unit alongside the likes of Tyrese Maxey and Georges Niang, with Shake Milton — however deserving or undeserving — being the likeliest casualty in terms of playing time.