The NBA trade deadline comes up on Thursday at 3 p.m. Eastern, so we’ve decided to throw the spotlight on some specific teams who could be active to either help bolster their playoff chances or clean house in order to rebuild for the future.
Next up? The Philadelphia 76ers, who were supposed to be among the top contenders in the Eastern Conference but who have been up and down all season and are in the midst of a three-game losing streak and who face the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday night. Their offense has looked like it’s stuck in the mud, so here are some ideas about what they should do and predictions on what they will do.
What the 76ers should do
The Sixers are 21st in the league in three-point percentage, so here’s one idea: they should trade for Washington Wizards stretch four Davis Bertans, despite the Washington Post report that the Wizards have “repeatedly declined offers” for him.
Another idea: despite the fact that Derrick Rose isn’t that great, he would get the offense moving. He might cost the Sixers a player like Zhaire Smith, but if Philly thinks they’re one player away from fixing what ails them, they might have to go for it.
One more name who could be helpful: Alec Burks, who shoots well from deep and who has a really cheap expiring contract ($2.3 million).
What the 76ers will do
I don’t think the Sixers have enough in the way of assets to make a huge splash (there’s no way they can trade standout rookie Matisse Thybulle). They do have some trade exceptions to work with ($2.3 million in the Markelle Fultz deal and $1 million in the Jonathon Simmons trade with the Wizards), so I’m going to say they either sign Darren Collison after the All-Star break or end up with a player like Burks.
Contracts worth noting
Trey Burke — his $2 million deal expires after this season.
Kyle O’Quinn — his $2 million deal expires after this season.
Mike Scott — his contract expires after next season, and he’s due to be paid $5 million in 2020-21.
