76ers Trade Predictions Ahead of Thursday's NBA Deadline

We're approaching the final hours ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline, and the Philadelphia 76ers find themselves reeling from an all-too-familiar gut punch.

Joel Embiid, the reigning MVP and arguably the midseason favorite to repeat, was just lost indefinitely to his latest bout with the injury bug. The Sixers superstar will undergo surgery for a left meniscus injury and faces an extended absence which could wind up spanning the rest of his campaign.

It's massive blow to this heavyweight title contender, and one that perhaps could shape Philly's deadline plans. Will the Sixers simply opt to stand pat knowing that their championship dreams may already be dashed, or could they look to add talent in hopes of Embiid eventually returning to an even better roster than the one he last played alongside?

Let's examine where Philadelphia could go from here with a three-pack of deadline predictions.

Tobias Harris Goes Nowhere

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 5: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 5, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

If the Sixers wanted to do something major at the deadline, Tobias Harris loomed as their key to getting a big-money deal done.

By flipping his expiring $39.3 million salary, per Spotrac, Philly would have had the funds needed to make the money work on just about anything. He might be a pinch overpaid, sure, but it's not like he's a slouch. For those who could afford his pay rate, he could offer consistent complementary scoring (17.9 points per game), efficient shooting (51.2/34.4/90.2 slash line) and a bit of defensive versatility.

The Detroit Pistons remain interested in the scoring swingman, and they probably aren't the only ones.

For Philadelphia, though, who's on the market making that kind of coin and would offer a significant on-court upgrade? Don't bother racking your brain for the answer, because there isn't one.

Their Biggest Addition Is a Defense-First Wing

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BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 16: Dorian Finney-Smith #28 of the Brooklyn Nets plays defense against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 16, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2023 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

While the Sixers have a talented roster, it isn't so loaded as to make many positions and play styles unnecessary to address at the deadline.

They could use another ball-handler, but with Embiid sidelined, they may also covet a replacement big. They'll never have too many shooters alongside Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, but big-wing stoppers are high on the wish list, too.

Philadelphia could potentially talk itself into adding just about anyone, but the cards don't really align for them to add a ball-dominant initiator like Dejounte Murray. Kyle Kuzma is a good player, but he might be a bit redundant if the Sixers held onto Harris. Covering Embiid's absence is intriguing, but they have a pair of bigs in Paul Reed and Mo Bamba already. And if they're giving up assets, one would assume they'd do so with the idea of getting Embiid back eventually, which would obviously shrink the floor time of any center they added.

So, chances are Philly takes its biggest swing on a versatile wing stopper with a reliable outside shot. While that's a coveted archetype for a lot of teams, there should be several on the market, like Dorian Finney-Smith, Royce O'Neale, Jerami Grant and De'Andre Hunter. If the Sixers aren't adamant about getting floor-spacing from this spot, Bruce Brown could be another option.

They Pick Up a Backup Point Guard

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 11: Tyus Jones #5 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 11, 2023 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Philly rarely hurts for creation when both Maxey and Embiid are on the floor. When those players need a breather, though, things can get bogged down.

As dominant as a health Embiid is, Maxey has actually had the biggest influence on this club's offensive efficiency. With him, the Sixers net a whopping 121.6 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com. Without him, that figure falls all the way to 109.8 points per 100 possessions. That 11.8-points-per-100-possessions swing is the highest on the team (and, if you're curious, towers over the 3.6-point swing with Embiid).

That's why the Sixers figure to be active in terms of adding another floor general. No, that doesn't mean Murray is coming—his fit with Maxey could be just as wonky as it's been with Trae Young—but it could absolutely mean Philly finds someone capable of steering the second team offense.

Malcolm Brogdon would be a dream find, since he could pilot the reserve unit and find his fit alongside the Sixers starters. If he's too pricey, Tyus Jones could be an alternative, though Philly may deem him a touch too expensive if it can't envision him cracking the closing lineup. If the Sixers want a more cost-effective option, Monte Morris is a masterful decision-maker who has previously excelled in a reserve role.