As Sixers general manager Elton Brand weighs possible trade scenarios this week, the final pre-deadline look he got at his roster came on Monday, when Philadelphia was run off the court by Miami in a 137-106 blowout. The Heat’s dominant win extended the 76ers’ losing streak to three games and drew some criticism from All-Star guard Ben Simmons.
“We were soft,” Simmons said of the Sixers, per ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe. “… The physicality side of things, we gotta step that up. That comes with experience, also just comes with personality. Don’t get bullied.”
While Simmons’ comments likely won’t have any direct impact on what Brand does at the deadline, Wolfe points out that the former No. 1 pick also called the Sixers “soft” last January. The club’s deal for Tobias Harris came a few weeks later.
This time around, the Sixers aren’t as well-equipped to make a blockbuster trade, so a move around the edges – possibly for a shooter – is more realistic. For the most part, it’ll be up to the current group to get out of its latest slump, which has dropped Philadelphia’s road record to 9-18 for the season.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- It sounds like Raptors center Marc Gasol, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, will likely be sidelined through the All-Star break, tweets Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. Gasol’s hamstring isn’t viewed as a serious issue, but the club wants to be cautious.
- There are several reasons why the Raptors are unlikely to make a major trade at this season’s deadline, including the way their roster is constructed and their intrigue with the pieces they already have, writes Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca.
- The Nets also look like a long shot to make a splash on the trade market this week, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Everything that Lewis is hearing from team and league sources points toward Brooklyn doing something relatively minor if the team makes a move at all. Rodions Kurucs, Dzanan Musa, Theo Pinson, and Wilson Chandler are among the Nets’ trade candidates, in Lewis’ view.
- The Celtics‘ trade deadline plans could be affected to some extent by what they expect Gordon Hayward to do with his $34MM player option this summer, says Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. Boston has a few different paths this offseason depending on whether Hayward opts in, leaves in free agency, or signs a new long-term deal with the C’s. As Bulpett relays, the veteran forward isn’t ready to make a decision on that option. “I haven’t thought about it at all,” Hayward said.
You have to be smokin the good good to think Gordon’s going to opt out of 34m
Eh, Horford opted out of $30MM+ last summer at age 33 to get a longer-term contract. If Hayward finishes strong, I could see him doing the same. He wouldn’t get $34MM per year, but he could probably get a pretty lucrative three- or four-year deal like Horford did.
It would probably make more sense to play next year at $34MM and then become a FA at 31. Could still get the 3-4 deal AND take the cash from next season. Not like he’s mid-30s or anything. Yes, there’s risk in that, but makes more sense than opting out, unless some team is dumb enough to pay him 30 next year on a four year deal. He could make a lot more waiting one season.
What if celtics offer him a 100*4 if he opt out?
Right, he might get something like a 4 or 5 year deal at 20 million per. Last I checked 80-100 million in the bank was more than 34. He could get hurt next year and get nothing.
Nope,this stuff isn’t making me think that
Well you got Regi sooooo
Sixers aren’t gonna make any trades. They’ll make a statement that basically says, “We’re talented enough and there weren’t any deals out there that would have made us any more talented than we already are… we like who we have!”
That way, it takes the onus of Elton and puts it squarely on the coach.
76ers should get ahead of the curve. Trade Simmons for Russell and see if they can get anyone to take on Harris. Neither one will them get past the 2nd round.
Absolutely see Hayward opt out for long term security even if it’s 4/$100M deal.
If Ainge was smart he’d give Pat Riley a call on a deal of Hayward for Winslow, Dragic deal.
Then again not sure he wants to give Riley that kinda of ammo right now.
They can’t trade Simmons
Should trade embiid
Predict Burks will be playoff starter for Sixers.
Hayward hasn’t thought about it at all…BS