On the heels of a pretty unflattering start to the season, the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to become a major player in the trade market anew. A lof of players on the roster have turned in underwhelming performances so far, and the front office has handcuffed itself into doubling down on their resounding win-now escapade.
Of course, the 76ers could take on the mantle of a seller in the months leading up to the trade deadline, but is there really much incentive to the team punting one season? The current outlook of the Eastern COnference makes it so that the club can still quickly climb out of its misery, and the sample size is way too small to stamp a negative imprint on the team’s vaunted Big Three.
The trade market has been a bit quiet since unofficially kicking off a few days back, but the rumor mill does not look like it will be stopping anytime soon. The 76ers have remained a staple in the newsstands, and whether the front office follows through on their expected active stance is a matter of when, not if.
The 76ers should trade for Keon Ellis
Philadelphia does not really have the ammunition to go after a high-profile player, but to be frank, they don’t really need to. The team already has an abundance of talent, and this point, it’s just a matter of keeping it all together.
The 76ers should scan the market for low-risk, high-reward guys, and one player that fits that mold is Kings guard Keon Ellis. One of their better defenders, the young guard has become a fan favorite in Sacramento, but their team has not really given him the kind of burn he deserves.
Ellis, arguably the best one-on-one defender on Sacramento’s roster, has seen an uptick in minutes this season, but not to the level warranted by his skill level as a defender for the offensive-minded Kings. Instead, Mike Brown and his cohorts have given more run to their players more inclined toward offense — much to the derision of fans.
If the Kings continue undermining Ellis, the 76ers should try to see what his asking price would look like. Ellis’ contract is incredibly modest, and Philly has some draft ammunition it can throw as giveaways for the young guard.
Philly, having just lost Jared McCain, is in dire need of playable bodies in the backcourt. Their current in-house options have been pretty underwhelming, and none really compare to what Ellis brings to the table defensively.