For a franchise that has been one of the most successful ones in the past eight years (save for this season), the Philadelphia 76ers have seen more revolving doors than any other team in the association. While Joel Embiid has remained the constant figure, his co-stars have changed through the years, with the composition and dynamics of the squad similarly changing almost on yearly intervals.
As a result, stability and continuity have become elusive for the 76ers. And with someone like Daryl Morey leading the brass, the team has not been afraid in the slightest when it comes to dipping its fingers on some of the most well-documented bidding wars in the league. Just a quick glance at the team’s roster should be enough for one to see the imprint of the longtime executive on the squad.
This year, Morey and his crew will be exposed to a novelty — the first of its kind since he set foot in Philly. For the first time in quite a while, the 76ers will be picking in the top-three in the draft, giving the front office an unfamiliar asset to leverage as they aim to improve the roster following the disaster that veiled them in their recently concluded campaign.
Analyst proposes ridiculous trade that will test the 76ers and Daryl Morey
After the tedious fondly called The Process, people are no longer used to the 76ers being in the pole position in the draft. That is perhaps the very reason why a bunch of trade pitches are being hurled in the internet surrounding the 76ers and the third overall pick which they possess.
One analyst, Bill Simmons, recently pitched a trade that has the 76ers sending Kelly Oubre Jr. and their third overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to the Pelicans for Herb Jones and their No. 7 pick.
The drastic inclusion of Philly’s draft pick will definitely catapult one into shutting the door instantly so as to not usher in a scrutinizing intruder, but there is actually some credence to such a trade framework. Jones is one of the premiere defenders in the NBA, and defense remains a concern for the team, even when healthy.
However, that’s about it. Jones has arguably already plateaued as a two-way player, and moving down from third to seventh in a draft teeming with high-end talent up top for an upgrade they could seek elsewhere plays right into what fans detest — the team remaining averse to the concept of long-term roster-building.
Trades like this will probably come their way come draft night (albeit, nights). And being in uncharted waters this time around, it will be interesting to see if Daryl Morey manages to resist the urge to make win-now moves in order to place the Philadelphia 76ers at a better position to build for the future.