For a team already overflowing with talent but cannot seem to get over the hump, even in the regular season as this season has shown, the Philadelphia 76ers do not seem like they really need even more. The more prudent thought process is to count the weaknesses that this team has, and then go from there.
Aside from the ever-intrusive injury bug that has long been enamored with afflicting any player donning the 76ers colorway, it would not take anyone a trek to find out what the team truly needs. One does not even have to be part of the peanut gallery to know the areas that need some addressing, as these holes have shown themselves over the course of the season.
Two areas anyone can deduce as lacking on this roster are three-point shooting, where they rank as one of the worst both in accuracy and volume, and size at forward, where they only have Paul George and Guerschon Yabusele as legitimate, lengthy wings — the latter even overcompensating by playing at center for the most part.
The 76ers could force their way into trading for coveted forward Cameron Johnson
One player who can easily cover the abovementioned areas is Nets forward Cameron Johnson. Ever since Brooklyn endeavored to slowly dismantle its roster and commence a fire sale, the 28-year-old has quickly become a highly wanted commodity in the trade market, with contenders lining up to get some traction on the table.
While the 76ers have not been linked to Johnson, they do have the ammunition to swoop in and beat out other competitors. The Nets are believed to be seeking draft compensation and a young cog in return, and Philly exactly has what it takes to appease Brooklyn in that regard.
Philadelphia would have to really push their limits cap-wise to make the salaries work, potentially trading as much as four players for Johnson, but he would undeniably be a tremendous floor-raiser for the 76ers especially as they gear up for a playoff push.
Johnson is currently averging 19.5 points per contest this season on 49.6 percent shooting rom the field, which includes a blistering 43.6 percent success rate from three-point territory while hoisting 7.5 threes a game. And at 6’8”, he clearly has the much-needed ranginess to handle tougher assignments without taxing George and Kelly Oubre Jr.
The Philadelphia 76ers may find it difficult to strike a trade for Cameron Johnson, but if they ever decide to go down that road, they can certainly get it done.
If it happens, watch out.