With the February 5 NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching, franchises are scrambling to ensure that their rosters align with the ambitions they have set out before them. In the case of the Philadelphia 76ers, that must be postseason success. NBA insider Jake Fischer has stated in a recent article that the Sixers and the Memphis Grizzlies have interacted with the outlook of swapping less prominent players. Given his expiring deal, Kelly Oubre Jr. could be a prime candidate.
In said piece (subscription is required), Fischer wrote that "sources say the Sixers and Grizzlies did have a level of trade discussion in mid-December ... but please don’t aggregate that as a Morant wrinkle. Those talks, I'm told, involved around-the-edges roster matters.”
Firstly, this is a clear declaration that the troublesome Ja Morant will not be landing in Philadelphia any time soon, which, given his poor disciplinary record, should come as a relief to the 76ers fan base. Most importantly, this statement highlights that some players may be on the move before the trade deadline. In terms of attractive assets, the Sixers have few they would want to give up. That is where expiring contracts come into the equation -- as does Oubre Jr.
Oubre's omission could be on the horizon
If the terms of a hypothetical deal were finalised with hustle and ability as the main priority, Kelly Oubre Jr. would be going nowhere. However, his expiring deal will make him a highly-touted prospect for any team with eyes on a rebuild. It is an easy way to swiftly evaluate a player without restricting your salary in the long-term, which is a major concern of every front office in this era of the dreaded second-apron.
The rumours circulating suggest that Morant is no longer wanted, no longer needed in Memphis. Moving a star of this calibre on will require some form of roster reconstruction. The Grizzlies planned for Ja to be the cornerstone of their franchise for years to come. Players were acquired with the intention of elevating Morant's performances into a different stratosphere. Now, this franchise must decide which direction it is taking.
From the 76ers' perspective, the depth and versatility of this squad are possibly as good as it is going to get when referencing their own salary restrictions. Nevertheless, if discussions had taken place between the two franchises, Philadelphia must believe some players can be improved upon. With his deal worth around $8.4 million and his contract set to expire in July, it has to be assumed his name was at least mentioned.
There is a radio silence around which players could be set to land in the City of Philadelphia in the coming weeks. Although if this report comes to fruition and the 76ers are delving into the trade market, the franchise does not hold many more attractive assets than Kelly Oubre Jr. and his expiring deal.