Grade the Trade: 76ers form new super team in wild four-team mock swap

Why the 76ers should steer clear of Zach LaVine and Tyler Herro

Objectively speaking, Zach LaVine and Tyler Herro have a lot more similarities than differences in their style of play. In this trade proposal, the 76ers basically get a pair of score-first guards to try and mitigate the theoretical absence of Harden, who was far and away the best table-setter in the league last season.

The 76ers are banking on Maxey to further his growth as the primary ball handler. That very cause will not be too warm to the presence of LaVine and Herro, who thrive with the ball in their hands. While both can tenably settle for less prominent, yet still major off-ball roles, the 76ers could have simply just resorted to cheaper commodities with more defensive acuity if they wanted reliable and uncompromised spot-up shooting.

LaVine and Herro, even in tandem, do not address a glaring weakness of the 76ers, which is reliable playmaking. Harden in that regard has been nothing short of incredible, and both players simply do not have the makings of a go-to facilitator.

In addition, parting with a first-rounder and giving up pick swap rights is a very risky proposition for a 76ers franchise with an increasingly pressing need to solidify both its present and future, if only to maintain a cushion if ever Embiid wants out.

Ultimately, in view of the franchise’s missive to keep up with their rivals and win a title as soon as possible, acquiring LaVine and Herro should be pretty attractive. That being said, if it ever transpires, the Philadelphia 76ers would be wise to forecast potential overlaps and holes with those two in the fold, notwithstanding their talent.

Grade: B+