After everything that transpired for them this season, it would probably be more prudent for the Philadelphia 76ers to refrain from dipping their fingers into the hunting grounds for the big names expected to be available this summer.
Obviously, between Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George — and perhaps even Quentin Grimes (assuming he inks a new deal with the team) and Jared McCain — the 76ers are not lacking at all in the name game. On paper, the squad has one of the most loaded teams in the league, although that could be a tad too disingenuous after they just posted a 24-58 campaign.
Still, the 76ers are not just any kind of team, especially up top. As long as Daryl Morey is the one at the helm of things for the franchise, there is no sweepstakes that the team will not be linked with. In fact, given that the team is desperate for success, there could be an even stronger impetus for the front office to kick the tires for another drastic move.
The 76ers could be tempted to trade for Kevin Durant after this latest development
One name that has already been unofficially tossed into the summer mayhem is Kevin Durant who, after the disastrous season the Suns have turned in, is widely believed to be seeking a way out of Phoenix.
Heck, the Suns are already trending in that direction after dropping the hammer on Mike Budenholzer after just one season. A complete tonal shift could be on the horizon for Phoenix, and shipping Durant away will definitely help them recoup assets for the future.
This might be a pipe dream for now, but if the 76ers so desire, they can put together a lucrative offer for Durant centered on Paul George and some draft compensation — the amount of which will depend on how the market for the superstar shapes up.
For now, the link between the 76ers and Durant is nothing more than mere guesswork and abduction from Morey’s tendencies, but it is definitely not out of the realm of reality. Philly, after all, would be a better team with Durant given that George has steeply declined this season thanks to injuries and a lack of chemistry with the team.
For now, suffice to say that the Philadelphia 76ers will explore every available avenue for the team to get better, even if it comes at the expense of mortgaging some of their future assets. That is simply how desperate the franchise is to get out of the mud.