Replacing Harden with VanVleet and 4 other wild moves 76ers should try this summer
By Tyler Watts
4. Trade last 1st round pick to Nets for wing
The 76ers owe their first-round picks in 2023, 2025, and 2027 to other franchises. The NBA’s Stepien Rule prevents teams from trading their firsts in consecutive years, which leaves Philadelphia with just one tradable first-rounder this offseason.
Moving that in any deal may be considered wild because it severely limits what Philadelphia can do beyond that. If the 76ers trade it for a wing, that is likely their only significant move after rounding out their roster in free agency.
The Philadelphia 76ers desperately need a 3-and-D wing, and the Brooklyn Nets have an abundance. Can Daryl Morey convince Sean Marks to give him Royce O’Neale or Dorian Finney-Smith for a 2029 first-round draft pick? It won’t be easy and make take a second-round pick or two, but the Nets must clear some minutes for the other wings on their roster.
Morey is never afraid to push his chips in the middle, and he may need to do just that, especially if James Harden decides to leave Philadelphia this summer. Trading for a wing only works if the 76ers can acquire Chris Paul or another point guard in free agency that gives them a shot at staying in contention.