76ers' Complete 2024 NBA Trade Deadline Preview, Predictions

The Philadelphia 76ers have enough assets to pull off one of the biggest trades brokered between now and the upcoming Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline.

The question, though, is whether they'll deem anyone worthy of sacrificing whatever it takes to acquire them—and quite possibly keep them.

Philly is on track to create upwards of $55 million in cap space this summer, so any future money absorbed now is less than the Sixers will have to work with. If the franchise feels a trade would best position this team for a title run, though, it would be worth sacrificing some flexibility.

Assets

Alika Jenner/Getty Images

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 29: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on January 29, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Trail Blazers won 130-104. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

The Sixers aren't hurting for assets. It may not be certain if they need to make a move, but they clearly have the capacity to do so.

The best trade chips in their collection are draft picks. They gained two first-rounders and a swap in the James Harden trade, so they can offer three first-round picks, three first-round swaps and six second-round selections in trades.

With over $100 million in expiring contracts, they can make the money work in swaps involving salaries of any size. While they'd be most likely to use non-essentials (like $17.1 million tied to Marcus Morris Sr. or the $11.7 million left on Robert Covington's contract, per Spotrac), they could jettison Tobias Harris and his $39.3 million salary if a massive move required it.

The one area they do come up short, though, is ascending talent. Working under the (no-brainer) assumption that Tyrese Maxey is untouchable, the closest players they have to up-and-coming prospects are KJ Martin and Jaden Springer. Each might theoretically sweeten a pot, but their market appeal is pretty limited.

Needs

Quinn Harris/Getty Images

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at United Center on March 22, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

The Sixers have the reigning MVP in Joel Embiid and a rising star in Maxey. Any players added to this roster must be able to coexist with that pair.

The good news is those two can suit up alongside almost any type of player. While Philly has little need for a post-scoring big or a ball-dominant guard, that's about it in terms of possible overlap. The Sixers have plenty of options for upgrading their group, in other words, though a two-way wing with handles tops the wish list.

"I would say first off, they need to be pretty solid on both ends," 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said on the Rights to Ricky Sanchez podcast (via HoopsHype). "As you get into the playoffs, it gets very hard for your top guys to be elite one way. … The other thing would be we probably need them to have a bit of playmaking—sort of connector, ball-movement aspects. We are a little short on that and it becomes more important in the playoffs as well."

A capable defender who can create and keep things flowing sounds perfect, though that's an archetype virtually every contender is aiming to add. In this trade climate, where the number of buyers towers over the amount of sellers, it will be tough (if not impossible) to find that player.

Predictions

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 11: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against Dorian Finney-Smith #28 of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 11, 2023 in New York City. The 76ers defeated the Nets 101-98. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Because the Sixers have those draft picks and that financial flexibility, they can get a thumbs-up on almost anything you can throw together on a trade machine.

However, in our reality, the market simply lacks the perfect player for this team. OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam came closest among potential trade targets to being that multi-dimensional, two-way forward. They've already been traded, though, and no one with that same skill set has taken their place.

You could argue they should chase talent above anything, especially if the price is right. So, we can't simply rule out a trade for Dejounte Murray or DeMar DeRozan, even if neither looks like a particularly clean fit for this core.

More likely, though, is a move for a two-way wing in the most basic terms. A three-and-D contributor like Dorian Finney-Smith or Royce O'Neale looms as the most logical addition. That play style is an easy complement to modern stars, and neither would force the front office to dig too deep into its asset collection to get them. So, the Sixers could add someone now who fills a starting (and closing) role and still have enough left to chase a bigger fish this summer.