New Year, Different Team? Potential Trade Deadline Opportunities for the Sixers
It’s a New Year for this 76ers team, which means it is a fresh start to go on a championship run. The struggles in the first half of the season were focused on the starting lineup as well as Head Coach Brett Brown.
Is it time to start looking at some trade opportunities that will strengthen the bench?
The current starting lineup consisting of Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, Josh Richardson, Al Horford, and of course, Joel Embiid has a very high ceiling and should not be touched. This team needs to start focusing on a better game plan, meaning drawing up more plays and dominating using individual strengths.
If the leaders of this team can start playing intelligent basketball, a good bench could be the missing piece to this team.
Andre Iguodala
The first option that could benefit the 76ers is Andre Iguodala. It may seem risky, but to have an accomplished veteran who has won multiple NBA championships could be a great step to ensure accountability on this team. Iguodala has not played this season, as he’s been sitting out for the Memphis Grizzlies, although he should be able to bounce back and fit right back into a normal rotation.
Kevin Love, anyone?
Another option that would be viable for this team is Kevin Love. I’m not sure how Elton Brand could pull this off without losing a core piece, but Love’s shooting would be an instant boost to the team’s success. Love is clearly not happy in Cleveland and would be happy to play for a potential championship-winning team.
Now it is time to look at possible pieces the Sixers could move to clear space for incoming players. Mike Scott has cemented himself as a Philadelphia legend, but that doesn’t mean he will stay forever. Although this would be another heartbreaking loss for the team, sometimes it is important to base decisions off of intelligence, not emotion. After losing the fan-favorite TJ McConnell last season, the fans realized that in order to be champions, it is necessary to cut some strong ties.
Scott has been very helpful to this team, but to add him in a package along with a draft pick and possibly another player to pick up a guaranteed threat might be the best move for Elton Brand and the 76ers.
The only other bench piece the Sixers have that could boost another team’s value consists of the duo in Trey Burke and James Ennis lll. Both of these players are talented, gritty, and experienced which is why they would make a great potential trade package. The only way this team should let go of these two would be if they could grab a scorer such as Collin Sexton or potentially a return of JJ Redick.
No matter how Elton Brand decides to deal with the upcoming deadline, it is important that he can find a lethal threat to add depth to the bench and potentially make a championship-winning decision.
Featured Image: via USA Today Sports (Brian Spurlock)
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