76ers trade for veteran All-NBA defender in proposed three-player swap

Why the 76ers should trade for Alex Caruso

When it comes to justifying a trade for Alex Caruso, there only lies a surplus of reasons and no shortages of such. As one of the lowest-maintenance, high-end role players the association boasts, there’s almost no situation where trading for him flirts with futility.

With Maxey and De’Anthony Melton going down to injuries in recent weeks, the 76ers have to make it an emphasis to bolster their guard rotation. That’s pretty elementary. Patrick Beverley and Jaden Springer can only do so much, and better yet, Caruso (and Carter) collaboratively profile as an upgrade over those two.

Not even an impending logjam should throw the 76ers off in this regard. Caruso’s defensive prowess and frame makes him a legitimate multi-positional defender who can guard any perimeter player and even capably function when latched onto bigs in spurts. In this era of making concessions on defense, he concedes none, and he doesn’t need to gamble to make an impact defensively.

Flipping a first-rounder (and two seconds) for a role player seems extortionate, but Philadelphia has no choice than to go big on their offer condering Caruso’s lengthy queue of suitors. Still, the 76ers plan to improve the roster through free agency anyway, making their draft pick this year a bit more disposable than usual.