Way-too-early trade deadline targets if 76ers disappoint in 2024-25

The Philadelphia 76ers will be entering the 2024-25 season with sky-high expectations this time around. Thanks to a new flagship addition in Paul George, a much healthier Joel Embiid, and a slew of role players signed to address actual team needs, the team stands to have a stronger bid for the championship in the upcoming campaign.

Having said that, the NBA is unpredictable. Injuries can always happen, and off-court miscues can also erupt under the right set of circumstances. The 76ers are constructed to be able to pivot in a moment’s notice, though, and here are five players they can make a move for at the trade deadline should the team initially disappoint.

5. Jordan Clarkson would give the 76ers a more stable secondary scoring option in the backcourt

Outside of Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers don’t really have go-to scoring options in the backcourt. Kyle Lowry and Reggie Jackson are plug-and-play guys at this point in their careers, Jared McCain is too raw to be a designated scorer. Ricky Council IV is more of a defensive cog than an offensive savant.

Should Philly find its scoring lacking in the backcourt, they could trade for Utah’s Jordan Clarkson. The 2021 Sixth Man of the Year finds himself in a peculiar footing with the Jazz. He turned in a down year last season in large part due to injuries, but his team would probably prefer to funnel his minutes to their younger commodities.

Clarkson, a legitimate three-level scorer who can get hot quickly, would be an explosive presence the 76ers quietly need off their second-unit, especially if Kelly Oubre Jr. starts. In addition, he’s a capable pick-and-roll operator, making him an ideal fit next to Andre Drummond. He’s not owed much money, and Philadelphia has the resources to match salaries with some financial gymnastics.