With the 2025 NBA Draft just a shade under a month away, the Philadelphia 76ers will finally get an eventful prompt to mobilize them in the offseason. After the strenuous campaign the team just had, it will be incumbent upon the front office to piece this team together and make it work by bringin in much-needed reinforcements, especially on the margins.
One crucial area the team needs to focus on is defense. Thanks to a lack of continuity and a lot of moving parts this season as the squad braved through the numerous rounds of injuries to core players, the 76ers took a huge step back as a point-preventing unit, finishing as the fifth-worst team in defensive rating.
Given their sheer lack of cap space to stash, finding a reliable stopper, especially on the perimeter, would be a pretty tall task, even for Daryl Morey. But having said that, the trade market should present him with some options, especially if the front office would be willing to part with some relatively significant assets in return.
The 76ers can now push for a trade for Herb Jones
As for an ideal trading partner, Philadelphia could look into New Orleans, which is rumored to be open to any trade scenario involving any of its players.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, the Pelicans do not consider anyone on theri roster to be untouchable, making them a potentially big key player this summer on the player movement front.
“There are no untouchables in New Orleans. League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster. They very well could end up keeping their core pieces, namely Zion Williamson, but it appears the Pelicans are looking into taking different paths this summer depending on what opportunities become available.”
If so, the 76ers should already keep a close eye on Herb Jones. One of the league’s premier defenders, he would be a dream fit in Philly as a defensive siege to support and balance out the team’s litany of scorers.
The disruptive Jones should be able to easily thrive as a catalyst on the defensive end within Nick Nurse’s switchy schemes on D. Even better, his offensive miscues should get masked when playing a corollary role, allowing him to fully showcase his skills in a role that fits him to a tee.
The Pelicans will most likely try to gouge their asking price for the prized defender, but the Philadelphia 76ers have the potential to sweeteners to get a deal done. New Orleans is likewise in a state of flux, and it’s unlikely that they will resist a good offer, especially with Jones already entering his prime.
For now, everything is mere guesswork, but if the Philadelphia 76ers manage to land someone like Herb Jones, the league should watch out for this team — if healthy.