The Philadelphia 76ers are now on full offseason mode after getting jettisoned from the playoffs. In fact, they have already taken a huge step forward in effecting the much warranted changes, axing team president Daryl Morey just recently. But before that, it seems like the longtime executive was close to securing a trade that could have fixed one of the squad's biggest weaknesses in this campaign.
According to Philly Voice's Adam Aaronson, the 76ers attempted to strike a deal with the Bulls for big man Jalen Smith, offering multiple second-round picks for the 26-year-old. However, with Chicago still in the play-in tournament picture at that specific juncture, their front office ultimately decided to hold onto him, although they obviously failed to even get a sniff at the postseason.
As usual, the 76ers have had struggles finding a consistent solution to their backup center spot. Joel Embiid missed 44 games during the regular season, and though he found a way to be in uniform for the playoffs, the team was simply vulnerable whenever he was on the bench. Adem Bona, Andre Drummond, Dominick Barlow, and Jabari Walker were all serviceable in their own ways, but none of them was consistent enough to bag the role on a full-time basis.
The 76ers could have fixed their backup big man issue with Jalen Smith
Smith, a former lottery pick, had a slow start to his career. However, he has strung together multiple productive campaigns in recent years. This season, he averaged a career-high 10.2 points per game on 48.3 percent shooting from the field, which includes an impressive 37.3 percent success rate from beyond the arc.
If there is one thing missing from this team, it is that stretch big man who can play the 4 and 5 and make life easier for his teammates on the offensive end by giving them more room to operate. He was also a competent rebounder, tallying nearly seven rebounds on the average despite playing just under 21 minutes per ball game.
Smith would have given Philly a different look with the numerous lineup combinations that could be made possible with him in the fold. Often, the team has struggled with their lack of size outside of center, and he has ample experience playing next to another big man. He can also play the 5 in spurts in five-out configurations.
Unfortunately, the trade offer laid down by the 76ers was materialized when the timing was not ideal. The Bulls were still competing for the postseason back then, and Jalen Smith was way too important for them to just let go, much to Philly's prejudice.
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