Potential move could give the 76ers a chance to correct mistakes

Can this move be a way for the 76ers to rectify their failures?

76ers, Patrick Williams, Kelly Oubre Jr.
76ers, Patrick Williams, Kelly Oubre Jr. | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Truthfully speaking, the Philadelphia 76ers are the biggest disappointments of the 2024-25 season. All but one team touts a worse record than them, and their grand offseason largesse has been nothing short of pointless thanks to most of their players flopping as hard as they could in the early going.

From Joel Embiid and Paul George sustaining on-brand injuries to a slew of role players simply failing to make much impact for the team, the 76ers have had no shortages of things to pout over. Patience is starting to become a luxury they can afford, and with each passing loss, the trek only gets tougher for them to even sniff the playoffs.

The front office, at this point, has no other choice but to try and amend things by seeking external help, primarily via the trade market. There’s little wiggle room for their current deck, and the East’s weakened state — at least from the standings — still gives them a realistic shot at actually breaking into the playoffs.

Rumored trade candidate could give 76ers a chance to correct mistakes

Banking on midseason trades as messianic would be a laughable overexpansion, but the 76ers have every reason to believe that such swap can do the trick. While there’s nothing that can fix their woes, there are definitely some players out there who can fill in the gaps they created themselves.

One name to watch out for? Patrick Williams. The Bulls have cooled off since a surprisingly pleasant start, and according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, they are willing to include him in trade talks — just like they have been in the past year or so.

Hypothetically speaking, Williams would be a great fit in Philadelphia. The 76ers are in dire need of size at forward alongside three-point shooting — two features one can find in the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Standing at 6’7”, Williams is one of the better defenders Chicago has, and even better, he is a career 40.9 percent three-point shooter. He would be an instant upgrade over Kelly Oubre Jr., who has been pretty erratic on both ends thus far, and even Caleb Martin, whose offensive game has become completely missing.

It remains to be seen whether the Bulls would demand a lot for Williams, but given their posturing, it seems like they won’t be shooting for the stars on a return package. If so, the Philadelphia 76ers should strike the iron while still hot and snag the forward off the board for themselves.

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