76ers' Complete 2023 NBA Trade Deadline Preview, Predictions

The Philadelphia 76ers haven't exactly made consistency their greatest strength, but this group has never come closer to reaching NBA juggernaut status.

They've reeled off a 13-3 record since Dec. 31, with the league's fifth-best net rating over this stretch (plus-4.4, per NBA.com).

They don't need to do anything to join the ranks of heavyweight contenders; they're already on that level.

So, they could opt to snooze through trade season and let the Feb. 9 deadline come and go without a deal. With president of basketball operations Daryl Morey at the wheel, though, expect the Sixers to leave precisely zero stones unturned in their search for potential upgrades.

Will that search lead to a deal? We'll tackle that question and more in this deadline preview.

Trade Assets

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 28: Matisse Thybulle #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against the Denver Nuggets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 28, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Sixers have cornerstones in Joel Embiid and James Harden. They might be the only true untouchables on the team, though Tobias Harris' salary probably torpedoes any trade possibilities with him.

And you'd have to assume players such as Tyrese Maxey, P.J. Tucker and De'Anthony Melton are off-limits in anything but a monster move (the likes of which Philly almost assuredly doesn't need).

Theoretically, the rest of the roster might be up for grabs, though Philly Voice's Kyle Neubeck labeled Furkan Korkmaz, Danuel House Jr. and Jaden Springer "the most likely names to be sent out."

That said, Neubeck also noted a desire to potentially upgrade over Georges Niang or Matisse Thybulle, since both have weaknesses that could knock them out of the playoff rotation. Niang is a great shooter with major defensive limitations, while Thybulle is a lockdown defender with such a weak scoring punch that postseason defenses might completely ignore him.

Neubeck also dubbed Shake Milton "an under-the-radar name to keep an eye on." He is only signed through the rest of this season, and if Maxey sticks with the reserve unit, Philly has the sixth-man, spark-plug role covered.

In terms of sweeteners, Philly essentially only has two second-rounders to work with, since the 2025 first-rounder it owes to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the 2027 first-round pick owed to the Brooklyn Nets both have protections on them.

Team Needs

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 04: Tyrese Maxey #0 and James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on January 4, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

In terms of on-court needs, there aren't many, and the ones that exist aren't glaring.

The 76ers could upgrade their perimeter defense, though there will be challenges on that end as long as Harden and Maxey share the backcourt. Considering what they provide on the offensive end, Philly can likely live with those limitations.

It could seek out stoppers elsewhere, though, especially if it moves on from Thybulle, who will be tricky to price in restricted free agency. The Sixers just need a wing defender with some utility on the offensive end. A player who provides what they thought they were getting with House would suffice.

They are also reportedly "prioritizing" a backup center, per Neubeck. Paul Reed isn't a rotation regular, and Montrezl Harrell has defensive limitations.

Deadline Predictions

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CAMDEN, NJ - FEBRUARY 15: Daryl Morey, President of Basketball Operations poses for a photo with James Harden #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers during a press conference on February 15, 2022 at Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

While you can never really rule out a major move with Morey running the show, this doesn't project to be a dramatic deadline in Philadelphia.

The Sixers could maybe talk themselves into entering the O.G. Anunoby sweepstakes (if that's even a thing), but their lack of draft capital could prevent them from placing the winning bid.

Beefing up the bench is a real possibility, though. Bringing back Andre Drummond at the right price could be sensible. A backup center may not be worth giving up Thybulle, but if Springer and a second-rounder would suffice, Philly would have to seriously consider that.

Depending on their deadline dealings, they could also look for a small cost-cutting move to duck under the luxury tax. It wouldn't be their top priority by any means, but if someone wants a flier on Korkmaz, and the deal would allow Philly to reset its clock with the repeater tax penalty, that's probably a path worth pursuing, so long as the Sixers don't get something else done that would increase their tax bill first.