The Philadelphia 76ers will have enjoy some degree of actual spending power this offseason, but it is not exactly ample enough for them to easily lure in quality role players. As such, the newly reorganized front office will have their work cut out for them as they now face the task of finding creative ways to build the roster and surround the team's nucleus with new cogs who fit them well.
In that case, the 76ers' eyes should sparkle at the latest rumor surrounding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder. As reported by ESPN's Anthony Slater and Tim McMahon, the two-time reigning Most Valuable Player has doubled down on his continuous preference to play with Lu Dort. Given their cap situation, that means that if Oklahoma City accedes to their superstar's request, their other role players should be up for taking.
Dort severely underperformed this season, especially during the playoffs. He essentially ended up being unplayable against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, where they got booted out of the running for a back-to-back championship. Many feel like it is high time for the Thunder to move on from Dort, but SGA's endorsement of his fellow Canadian will definitely make Sam Presti think twice about discarding the hard-nosed veteran.
The 76ers have a golden trade opportunity after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander endorses Lu Dort
With Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams' max extensions now kicking in, the Thunder are basically required to find takers for some of their role players making considerable salaries. Players like Isaiah Joe (a former 76ers guard), Aaron Wiggins, and Kenrich Williams should end up on the trading block, especially if Dort sticks around despite his overblown deal.
All three of those players are going to be salary-dump pieces for the Thunder, meaning that prospective buyers will not have to pay much to acquire any of them. The 76ers have a solid case as an ideal trade destination for those pieces, all of whom were part of OKC's championship roster last year.
Joe, for instance, would be a massive boost for a 76ers squad that ranked near the bottom in all three-point shooting metrics this season. Wiggins and Williams are both proven forwards who can play and defend multiple positions while being respectable enough from three-point range.
These trade openings are rare, especially since they involve a champion roster. Hence, the 76ers would be foolish to pass this up. Needing to be especially opportunistic this offseason, the front office has to strike the iron while still hot –– and the heat level on this front only figures to escalate.
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