The trade deadline is just a week away, meaning that the Philadelphia 76ers do not have a lot of time to be able to continue their passive stance so far on the market. With the team suddenly catching fire at the right time, the ball is now on the front office to deliver on the transaction tables and give the squad more resources to play with as they chase a playoff spot.
As mentioned previously, the 76ers have optionality going for them. They could either be on buyer mode and seek positional upgrades, especially on the margins. On the flip side, they could also take on the role of sellers and try to extract future-oriented assets out of their own players, especially those who have not played up to par this season.
However, fans expecting Philadelphia’s brass to go for the fireworks before next week ends would be in for quite the disappointment. The 76ers are in no position, assets and depth wise, to make a major move that could change their nucleus. Still, there exists an avenue for them to participate in a rousing trade engine.
The 76ers are rumored to be interested in playing third fiddle to a Jimmy Butler trade
While Philly is realistically out of the loop for a superstar trade, according to longtime Heat reporter Ira Winderman, they are rumored to be interested in playing the role of a facilitator to allow the Miami Heat to finally move on from Jimmy Butler, who has become a major source of headache for the franchise this season thanks to his slew of off-court and on-court histrionics.
The way it projects to look like, the 76ers would theoretically absorb a contract from the Heat in order to make the money work for Miami and Butler’s ultimate destination. This framework is one way Philadelphia can dip its fingers into the Butler sweepstakes, one they were rumored to be a bidder in not too long ago.
This could be a great development for the 76ers if it pushes through. Not only would they be in play for a potentially serviceable contirbutor under a modest contract, but it could also allow them to unload underperforming players or even get compensated with a draft pick or two.
The Philadelphia 76ers have to be opportunistic on the market, and even if they do not end up being in play for Jimmy Butler, they can at least get to help and make it work while getting rewarded in the process.