The Philadelphia 76ers have built one of the most formidable rosters in the NBA for the 2024-25 season, but before it even began, the franchise has already seen its stock make a bit of a detour following recent injuries to Paul George and Joel Embiid.
While it’s still too early to make a verdict on the team’s other cogs, the front office could perhaps be impelled by an irresistible need to make such other moves that can help them feel the weight of those injuries less.
Convinced? Well, the team is actually set up perfectly to make a move as early as December, and one name in particular falls squarely as someone they can move the needle for without breaking the bank at all.
The 76ers are perfectly set up to trade for Kevin Huerter
Bleacher Report recently floated the idea of the 76ers trading for Kevin Huerter, currently of the Kings. To do so, the team would need to part with KJ Martin and Caleb Martin, whose total contract value matches that of the sharpshooter’s.
Sacramento is currently toying with the idea of further improving its roster with another star in the trade market, but another route they are considering is moving Huerter, who’s still recovering from a shoulder injury. He’s been pegged as available for taking for quite some time now, though external interest seems to have plateaud for now.
Huerter, a career 38.2 percent three-point shooter, is a savvy off-ball operator who boasts great size for his position. Hypothetically, he would be great as a catch-and-shoot release point who can get into screening actions and free up even more space for the 76ers’ big three.
The 76ers, however, would have to be really seduced by his shooting to justify trading for him. He’s not a great defender despite his lanky frame, and his three-point shooting declined last season.
This begs the question: is Huerter worth dangling both Martins? The short answer is no. Caleb Martin is on one of the best bargain-bin deals in the NBA and has much more to offer on both ends of the court as a proven ancillary piece.
KJ Martin, for all his weaknesses, can be used more savvily as part of a more sensible trade down the line. Moving him as a salary enhancer for someone like Huerter seems too hasty.
Hence, while the Philadelphia 76ers are set up nicely to make a trade for Kevin Huerter, he simply has too many red flags as of the moment to viably consider as a trade target. The team has no reason to hit that button under duress.