76ers Rumors: Jarred Vanderbilt Primary Trade Target for Depth Behind Joel Embiid

As they continue to surge up the standings in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers are looking to add frontcourt depth behind Joel Embiid.

Per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, the Sixers have Utah Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt as their "leading target" ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

Fischer noted some teams view Vanderbilt as a power forward but that Philadelphia would add him to its center rotation to play with Embiid. The Kentucky product is in the second season of a three-year, $13.1 million contract extension. He is owed $4.6 million in 2023-24.

There don't appear to be many problems with the 76ers. They could use help on the wing given P.J. Tucker's scoring woes this season, but he's still incredibly important for head coach Doc Rivers' defense.

Tucker held Nikola Jokić to eight points and forced six turnovers while guarding him in the second half of the 76ers' 126-119 win over the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 28.

Montrezl Harrell and Paul Reed are the only other centers on the roster. Harrell is fine as a backup in the regular season, but his defensive limitations have been exposed in the playoffs.

Embiid is averaging a career-high 34.6 minutes per game. The six-time All-Star leads the NBA with 33.5 points per game and is tied for ninth with 10.1 rebounds per game.

The Jazz could be a major factor at the trade deadline, depending on the aggressiveness of CEO of basketball operations Danny Ainge. Since a surprising 10-3 start, they have lost 24 of 41 games, and they are in 10th place in the Western Conference.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported last week that Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler and Ochai Agbaji are the only players considered off-limits by the Jazz in trade discussions.

Vanderbilt is having a solid season after being acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the Rudy Gobert trade. The 23-year-old is averaging career highs of 8.3 points and 2.7 assists with 7.9 rebounds per game in 52 appearances.