The Philadelphia 76ers are currently in the middle of the pack in the playoff picture out East, but there remains plenty of room for improvement. Naturally, with the trade deadline fast approaching, one major platform for them to tap into external help is already staring at them right in the eye, although the team has definitely been relatively quiet so far.
However, NBA insider Jake Fischer recently bared here (subscription required) that the 76ers actually linked up with the Grizzlies not too long ago, which was reportedly for matters involving the fringes of the roster. He clarified that those talks are not to be perceived as any kind of an impetus toward a potential trade for Ja Morant, who is now on a fallout with Memphis.
“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.”
Surprising trade rumor links 76ers with the Grizzlies for a mystery player, but not Ja Morant
Hopefully, this will put a clear-cut end on any and all current and prospective whispers about the 76ers being a possible player in the Morant sweepstakes, if there even is one. Just recently, there was a strange trade odds release which had Philly being on the shortlist of teams on the chase for the All-Star which obviously makes zero sense.
If anything, this report only zeroes in on the 76ers having the sufficient ammo to pursue players who can improve the team on the margins. The team currently has a slew of desirable role players on expiring deals, which makes Philly ripe for a potential trade for a rotational piece.
In addition, this is a much-needed signal that the front office is indeed trying to improve the roster. While their present circumstances actually do not incentivize them to make a trade, the 76ers are still in a nebulous position in the East. People remain divided as to whether they are real contenders, as their talent affirms it but their inconsistent play would like to digress.
The 76ers probably still have a hanfdul of items on their midseason whiteboard. Three-point shooting, for example, is still not a strong point for this group. So is bench scoring, which has honestly been abysmal compared to what they have on paper.
As everyone knows, the Philadelphia 76ers still have a resounding win-now mandate spreadeagled across the entire organization. As such, it is incumbent on the front office to smoothen out the edges when it comes to the roster, which is perhaps the only viable way for them to improve this season. Thankfully, they are staying far away from the nonsense called “trading for Ja Morant”.