Philadelphia 76ers: 8 Reasons Why They Should Have Made a Trade at the Deadline
The trade deadline has finally passed and all of the trade rumors have finally ended. But, as usual, the Sixers just watched as other teams wheeled and dealed to improve their franchises.
Why can't the Sixers wheel and deal, too?
Doug Collins came out and said that he didn't want to break up this team because it is playing good right now, which is understandable. However, the 76ers could have at least made a small move.
They have been playing great lately and are currently a game behind the Knicks for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Collins has done a great job turning the team around. Every player knows his role and they all execute at their best.
Now that they have turned around, why didn't they make a deal that would have made them even better?
It makes too much sense.
We witnessed the Rockets acquire Hasheem Thabeet and a draft pick for Shane Battier. Well, according to sources, the Rockets originally offered Battier to the Sixers for Marreese Speights and someone else.
In my opinion, Thabeet would be a nice fit to try out at center. So why didn't the Sixers accept that trade and then ship Battier out to Memphis for the same package?
Sixers fans, we should be general managers.
Teams Are Getting Better
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As we all know, numerous teams have made huge deals in the past week and this past offseason, such as the Heat, Knicks and even the Nets.
If the Sixers want to contend for a championship, they must stick with the top teams. This season they have done a great job of it. But if the best teams improve even more while the Sixers do nothing, it lessens the chances for the Sixers to win.
Eastern Conference Is Packed
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The Eastern Conference is back.
For the first time in a while, the East is better than the West.
Anyway, teams such as the Celtics, Heat, Bulls, Magic, Knicks and the Hawks are all very solid. Each one of these teams has a solid core that is tough to take down.
Since the East is at a peak in talent right now, the Sixers need to throw themselves in the mix by acquiring new players which will make them better.
In the position the Sixers are at now, nothing can really hurt. They need to try out players to see what will work for them and who fits their system. For example, the Sixers need a better defensive-minded center. That would have been the perfect thing to shop for before the trade deadline.
They Have Good Trade Chips
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When I say "good trade chips," I don't necessarily mean the best players, but good contracts.
In the NBA, not all deals are done for quality. In fact, most of them are not. They are done for contract reasons and saving money. It's a business.
The Sixers currently have five expiring contracts and some talented players.
It Would Help Them Get over the Hump
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Year after year, the Sixers make the playoffs but are always tossed out in the first round, and they have to settle for a middle of the first-round pick.
I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of it.
They need to make at least some minor moves to get better and actually become a serious contender.
They Need To Improve
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Even though the Sixers have been playing great lately, they still need to improve if they want to be a contender.
They lack a reliable defensive center, which should have been their No. 1 target before the trade deadline since Spencer Hawes isn't getting the job done.
When the Sixers go up against teams with big centers, they are at a disadvantage because they are either playing Hawes or Elton Brand, who is undersized for the position.
With a reliable center, the team becomes even more of a threat.
They Are Young
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The Sixers have an extremely young squad. In fact, they have eight players under the age of 25.
This team will be around for a while.
Because of this, they will have a lot of time to grow and develop together. And if they acquired a good, young player, the Sixers would have been better now and for the future.
As we progress through this season and the next, we will notice a big difference with this team. The change is happening already.
The Sixers right now are a completely different team than what they were at the start of the season (special thanks to Doug Collins).
They Already Have Depth
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The Sixers have one of the deepest benches in the league.
Lou Williams has been incredibly clutch this year, Thaddeus Young has done a great job and Jodie Meeks is also doing a great job at the two guard with Evan Turner.
One thing that Sixers fans can take from this season is that on any given night against any given team, any player can come off the bench and have a great game to lead the Sixers to victory.
Having a deep bench is very vital for a team that wants to contend, especially if an everyday starter gets hurt.
The bench has been very effective this season and they will continue to do so for the rest of the season.
If the Sixers acquired a good player, it would have completed the team.
They Should Have Gone After Danny Granger
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If the Sixers really wanted to make a run at the championship, then they should have gone after Danny Granger.
A tag team of Andre Iguodala and Granger would be incredible.
Right now, the Sixers are a team of role players and very good players who aren't superstars. Guys like Jrue Holiday, Williams, Meeks, Turner and Brand would be a great supporting cast.
Picture a starting five of Holiday, Iguodala, Granger, Brand and Hawes (later improved).
That lineup right there is a team that would contend for a championship. Iguodala would complement Granger so well, but I guess this is just too good to be true.
Conclusion
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It is just another year the Sixers didn't make any moves leading up to the trade deadline.
However, we can't look down on this even though we could have been a much better team if we added a big man or even a guy like Danny Granger.
The Sixers have made a huge rebound this year, and I strongly trust Collins when he said that he didn't want to break up the team chemistry.
But one of the best things I heard during all of this trade mess was when I was watching ESPN and an analyst said that if there is one team you do not want to play in the playoffs, it's the 76ers.
That statement alone says quite enough about the Sixers this season.
