Entering the 2026-2027 NBA season, the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t expected to make any notable roster changes anytime soon.
Although they have an open roster spot, the Sixers won’t be able to fill it without making a corresponding move until later in the season. For the time being, the Sixers can simply eye up some targets and keep some realistic targets highlighted.
When it comes to the Miami Heat, they have an intriguing veteran center in the 28-year-old Nick Richards, who could be a logical target for Philadelphia.
How could the Sixers get Nick Richards?
The veteran center is a recent addition for the Heat. He was on the open market for nearly two months.
If the Sixers really wanted Richards, they could’ve signed him in free agency for the veteran’s minimum. However, priorities were elsewhere, and the Sixers are clearly interested in seeing Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti battle it out for the backup center spot.
But if the Sixers can’t get their center situation right, Richards is a name they should be keeping their eyes on. He would be an extremely affordable option for Philly, as he’s making $2.4 million for the upcoming season. That is, of course, if he makes the team.
Richards isn’t guaranteed to make the Heat’s opening night roster. If he does, he’ll lock in that salary and won’t be able to change teams until he’s trade-eligible on December 15. In that case, the 76ers could find an easy path to picking him up.
With Richards on the minimum, the Sixers have plenty of promising players on contracts that match in a trade. If the Heat need shooting upside, they could take a chance on the young and developing Justin Edwards, who is making $2.4 million for the season. Or maybe they are intrigued by the high-upside power forward in Dominick Barlow, who is slightly more expensive at $3.4 million.
While the Sixers seem unlikely to move Kenatavious Caldwell-Pope after bringing in the ex-LeBron James teammate right after signing the superstar from the Los Angeles Lakers, KCP is an option as well.
The easiest way for the Sixers to acquire Richards is scooping him up from the free agency market if the Heat decide they don’t want him on the final roster. In that case, that should tell the Sixers that he might not be worth their final roster spot.
With 305 games under his belt (114 starts), Richards has averaged 17.6 minutes per game. He is posting an average of 7.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and nearly 1.0 blocks after stints with the Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, and the Chicago Bulls.
76ers realistic trade targets big board
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