The Philadelphia 76ers are nowhere to be seen in the pool of relevant clubs at this point in time given that they have been eliminated from playoff contention for quite some time now. However, as they say, misery loves company, and some teams out there have faced a similar, if not worse fate than the team this season.
As you may have already inferred from the lone graphic you are seeing, we are referring to the Phoenix Suns which, after their most recent loss to the SGA-less Thunder, have now been officially ousted from the playoff race in the jam-packed Western Conference.
Without Kevin Durant in the late stretch of the season, the Suns have lost eight straight games. But more than that, they already lost their stronghold in that moving forward, this could be the norm for them if they do not make a swift, hard pivot.
If the stars align as they seem like they would, the 76ers have the makings of an ideal trading partner for the Suns with respect to Durant. However, Philly could actually do better than the 36-year-old by shifting their focus on these three All-Stars.
3 Stars the 76ers should target over Kevin Durant
1. Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins certainly does not quite measure up to Durant accolades-wise, but at this juncture, the former offers a more appealing fit to the team considering his salary and skill set.
The 76ers need actual players who can complement their stars, and Wiggins is exactly the kind of player they need to elevate their defense without sacrificing their firepower.
Even better, with Miami similarly desperate to jump back to relevance next season, they could be an ideal trading partner for Philly, which can offer Paul George in return to help them make a quick turnaround.
2. Lauri Markkanen
Markkanen has had a down year with Utah this season, but it’s difficult to chalk it up entirely to him when the Jazz have done nothing but aggressively tank for Cooper Flagg.
At his best, the Finnish All-Star is one of the most versatile frontcourt players in the league, capable of playing both forward positions and center in spurts. His volume three-point shooting as a spot-up threat and shot creation, which is unique for a player of his frame, also makes him a perfect fit next to Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
3. Zion Williamson
If the 76ers really want to get ambitious, they would have to hope that New Orleans opts to clean house and re-pivot by moving on from Zion Williamson. Injuries have derailed the young superstar, but when he does play, he is an undeniable force on both ends of the court.
Williamson is similar to Embiid in that he is a dicey player to bet on a nightly basis due to his lack of consistent availability, but if things go right, he can singlehandedly lift the 76ers up and bolster their present and future. That’s how good of a player he is, barring injuries.