Top Trade Targets/ Free Agent Targets : 76ers
Another year, another failure for the Philadelphia 76ers. It seems like every year the 76ers add new players that entices fans that a championship will come to the city of Philadelphia. With Joel Embiid winning MVP, the 76ers must optimize his talent, and put a championship contending team around him. The good news for Sixers fans is that Daryl Morey is the General Manager, and there a lot of great players the Sixers could get via free agency, and by trading.
Kevin Love (Miami Heat)
This might be a stretch because he is 34 years old. However, he is playing in the NBA finals, while the 76ers aren’t. Love is a very good stretch big who can shoot, pass and rebound. Now, I’m not saying this should be the 76ers first target, but he is a veteran who could give the younger players a lot of leadership. Love didn’t have the greatest season as far as numbers, only averaging eight points per game (PPG), and six rebounds per game. Love also shot below 30% from three this season. Like I said, he’s not a first option, but he is an option.
Buddy Hield (Indiana Pacers)
Photo by https://goldengatesports.com/2020/08/08/sacramento-kings-wrong-buddy-hield/
Hield played very good for the Indiana Pacers, and would help the Sixers with floor spacing and shooting, Hield hit 288 threes this year, while shooting 42% from three. At the age of 30, Hield would be a very good addition to any team with championship aspirations.
Gary Trent Jr (Toronto Raptors)
Trent Jr was great for the Raptors, and should be on the Sixers list of players to get during free agency. At just 24 years old Trent Jr averaged 17 PPG, and averaged 6 threes per game, while shooting 38% from three. If the Sixers looked into the Duke Alumni, they could start him, moving Pj Tucker to the Bench. Plus it would reunite him with Nick Nurse.
Harrison Barnes
Photo by https://www.si.com/nba/2020/10/23/harrison-barnes-sacramento-kings-community-efforts-giving-back
Another player who teams would love to have, Barnes is a stretch big who can create his own shot, and defensively can hold his own against wings, he can also defend the switch on screens. Barnes averaged 15 PPG this season with the Kings, and was an efficient scorer, shooting 47% from the field and 37% from three. The one problem is Sacramento was actually good this year, so who knows if they will want to get rid of him. But if they do Morey might want to look at a trade.
Fred VanVleet (Toronto Raptors)
NBA Getty images
With James Harden reportedly deciding between Philadelphia and Houston, the Sixers need to prepare for the worst and if Harden does decide to leave VanVleet could be a great option. With different style of play, VanVleet is a score first guard rather than Harden who is a pass first guard. VanVleet averaged 19 ppg, and 6 assists per game, while playing in 69 games last season. VanVleet also has a championship while playing in Toronto, and could bring a new voice to Philadelphia. He is also very familiar with Nick Nurse.
Honorable Mentions
Cameron Johnson
Kyrie Irving
Kelly Oubre Jr
Dillion Brooks
Jerami Grant
Khris Middleton
Jordan Clarkson