NBA · 1 year ago

Get Embiid Help! 76ers NBA Trade Deadline Needs & Targets

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

Stand Pat?
If Embiid's meniscus tear is worse than perceived, ruling him out for the playoffs, the Sixers may punt on the season. In reality, it may not be the worst idea. This team isn't going anywhere with Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris leading the charge, so there is no reason to force the issue of winning now if you won't even have Embiid for the postseason. Opting to save their assets and looking forward to a fresh offseason with plenty of salary cap space available will allow Daryl Morey and Nick Nurse to build out this team how they see fit instead of continually trying to fix an already broken puzzle.
Embiid’s Health Status
Nothing in 2024 matters for the 76ers if Joel Embiid is not healthy. Absolutely nothing. Embiid's timeline won't be revealed until after his meniscus surgery. Still, depending on the severity of the tear, Embiid could return in time for a deep postseason run. If so, the 76ers must push all their chips in for this season. When on the court, Embiid was putting together one of the most dominant seasons ever, placing the 76ers in title contention. They are still a piece away from being legitimate contenders. Still, if the surgery reveals they will have a healthy Embiid by mid-April, giving him the best-supporting cast is necessary. If not, re-positioning the team to maximize this year's free-agent class wouldn't be the worst idea.
Center Depth
With Embiid out for at least the next month and a half, Daryl Morey needs to bring in another center. There are no exceptions. Paul Reed is a decent player, but asking him to play 30 minutes per game is too much for an undersized big who frequently finds himself in foul trouble. Mo Bamba can give them solid minutes, but he's proven he's nothing more than a 15-minute per-game center. The trade market doesn't have a ton of big men available. Still, former Sixer Andre Drummond could interest the Sixers, especially if he's included in a package with DeMar DeRozan.
Lauri Markkanen
I've had Lauri Markkanen circled for Philly for months, but it remains unclear if Utah will pull the trigger. The price will be high for Markkanen, as it should be, but he's worth the investment for the Sixers. Markkanen's ability to stretch the floor and battle in the paint makes him the ideal frontcourt pairing alongside Embiid beyond this year, and his contract situation makes striking a deal now desirable/ He'd be under team control at a reasonable price next season as well. Again, the cost would be steep, but the number of picks required to acquire Markkanen will be worthwhile once the 76ers reach the Eastern Conference Finals with a core three of Maxey, Markkanen, and Embiid.
DeMar DeRozan
It's unclear what the Chicago Bulls' trade deadline plans are, but the 76ers have recently been linked to DeMar DeRozan. According to multiple reports, the 76ers would be willing to part ways with their first-round pick to acquire DeRozan. Still, for a team that wants to win now, DeRozan is the ideal short-term add for a team that may not be willing to mortgage their future for someone like Markkanen. DeRozan would pack an immediate scoring punch while alleviating some ball-handing off Tyrese Maxey. He'd keep the Sixers afloat in the Eastern Conference standings while Embiid recovers. Ideally, the Sixers would be able to acquire DeRozan and Andre Drummond from the Bulls, so with Chicago hunting picks for their rebuild, this should be an ideal trade pairing.
Stand Pat?
If Embiid's meniscus tear is worse than perceived, ruling him out for the playoffs, the Sixers may punt on the season. In reality, it may not be the worst idea. This team isn't going anywhere with Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris leading the charge, so there is no reason to force the issue of winning now if you won't even have Embiid for the postseason. Opting to save their assets and looking forward to a fresh offseason with plenty of salary cap space available will allow Daryl Morey and Nick Nurse to build out this team how they see fit instead of continually trying to fix an already broken puzzle.
Embiid’s Health Status
Nothing in 2024 matters for the 76ers if Joel Embiid is not healthy. Absolutely nothing. Embiid's timeline won't be revealed until after his meniscus surgery. Still, depending on the severity of the tear, Embiid could return in time for a deep postseason run. If so, the 76ers must push all their chips in for this season. When on the court, Embiid was putting together one of the most dominant seasons ever, placing the 76ers in title contention. They are still a piece away from being legitimate contenders. Still, if the surgery reveals they will have a healthy Embiid by mid-April, giving him the best-supporting cast is necessary. If not, re-positioning the team to maximize this year's free-agent class wouldn't be the worst idea.

Get Embiid Help! 76ers NBA Trade Deadline Needs & Targets

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