The Philadelphia 76ers will be one of the most discussed teams until the James Harden drama is resolved. Harden has requested a trade, and the NBA opened an investigation after his Daryl Morey comments. The ten-time All-Star wants to be sent to the Clippers, but no workable deal exists there. Where will Harden play next season?
That is just the tip of the iceberg for Philadelphia. P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr. joined because Harden took less money last summer. Do both of those players now want out with The Beard? Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton, and Furkan Korkmaz are entering the final year of their contracts and could be shopped at the deadline. The 76ers’ biggest worry should be falling from contention and Joel Embiid requesting a trade.
Philadelphia could be scrambling at the deadline to improve their roster around the reigning MVP. They are not getting a superstar return for James Harden, so the Sixers will have to use other assets to significantly improve their roster. Can they find the right pieces?
Way-too-early 2024 trade deadline candidates 76ers should watch
10. Spencer Dinwiddie
The 76ers will be light on ball handling if James Harden gets traded. Philly is hoping Tyrese Maxey can step up and become a star, but he averaged 4.3 assists per game in 2022. Asking him to be the primary creator seems like a stretch. Daryl Morey could be in the market for a veteran point guard that can run the show.
The Brooklyn Nets made the playoffs last season, but their roster is in flux after trading all three members of their Big 3. They hope Mikal Bridges becomes an All-Star and can make them a playoff team, but even that may not be enough. If the Nets are near the bottom of the standings, do they sell at the deadline?
Spencer Dinwiddie is in the final year of his contract and has proven he can play multiple roles. He handles being the sixth man and primary scorer in the second unit or the starting point guard. Dinwiddie helped the Nets get to the playoffs last season and was a key role player in the Mavericks’ 2022 run to the conference finals.
The 6’5 guard would get plenty of easy buckets as teams sell out to stop Joel Embiid and is no stranger to playing next to a superstar. Spencer Dinwiddie is worth watching as the trade deadline approaches, especially if the Philadelphia 76ers need ball-handling and playmaking.