The blockbuster trade sending James Harden from Philadelphia to Los Angeles is the culmination of a saga that made headlines for the last four months, but it’s only step one in the Sixers‘ latest plan for short- and long-term contention, says Sam Amick of The Athletic.
As Amick outlines, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey will attempt to use the draft assets he acquires from the Clippers to add another win-now piece to a roster that has gotten off to a pretty good start this season even without Harden in action.
In an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up on Tuesday morning (Twitter video link), Adrian Wojnarowski said that the Sixers feel as if they can now put together a trade package comparable to what Boston gave up to get Jrue Holiday earlier this month, though it remains to seen if a player of Holiday’s caliber – and fit – will become available prior to the February trade deadline.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Until he signs an extension with the Cavaliers or gets traded somewhere else, Donovan Mitchell will likely continue to be linked to the Knicks as a potential trade target, which his friend Josh Hart understands, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. “He’s from New York. New York is never going to let that go away,” Hart said. “So you’ll never know what happens. That’s for the future, that’s for Knicks Twitter to talk about, and have rumors about, and put up stats of God knows what. But everyone knows that will be an underlying thing.”
- Nets guard Cam Thomas, who recently had his 2024/25 option picked up, became the second-youngest player in NBA history to open the season with three consecutive 30-point games, per ESPN. The 22-year-old’s play has earned him praise from head coach Jacque Vaughn. “We know he has ability to score the basketball, but it has not been forced,” Vaughn said. “It’s been within the flow of the offense. And then at certain times when we need a bucket and he is capable of doing that also. So he is learning how to survey the game and when we need him to score and when he needs to facilitate.”
- There was optimism entering the fall that new head coach Darko Rajakovic could help jump-start the Raptors‘ offense, which has struggled in recent years in half-court sets. But a week into the season, Toronto ranks dead last in the NBA in offensive rating (100.8). Regardless of whether it’s Pascal Siakam or Scottie Barnes leading the attack, the offense isn’t working, writes Eric Koreen of The Athletic.
I think the Sixers only guard target at this point could be LaVine? If they just wanted a true PG on an expiring deal, Conley. They could go for shooting in Buddy, also expiring.
Dejounte Murray could be available, but hes not a good shooter so I wouldn’t target him as the LT sidekick to Embiid and Maxey. LaVine at least can shoot above league average, aside from this poor start.
Lavine makes no sense. They can score fine with Maxey and Embiid. What they need is a secondary ball handler that is good at defense. Jrue would have worked, but I think you’re right that Murray is probably the next best fit. That, or maybe OG Ananoby even if he isn’t a guard.
They have said they’re looking for a guard but I severely doubt Hawks let Murray go, if anyone goes it’ll be Trae and that’s instantly out of their price range, as is LaVine.
I expect Brogdon to be the more likely option. Or even as you said Conley. There are a few getable solid guards. TJ Mcconell is another or any of the Magic guards etc. even Lowry if they wanted. To keep Embiid happy they need to pull a rabbit out. They should view Maxey as a #2 and get a good 3rd and depth. Might even be an idea to try for a package for Kuz and Jones from Wiz.
I couldn’t understand why the Nets weren’t playing Cam Thomas much, even starting, after that scoring surge he had a year back.
He did fall back to earth after that tho. Then his PT dipped.
Also, his defense and playmaking look much better now than last year. Last season, he was a shorter Kelly Oubre; no defense, no playmaking, no teamwork, just buckets (granted, Oubre also is having a better year with Philly, but you get what I mean). Starters can’t be that one-dimensional anymore.
What’s real crazy is. Even when Knicks were bad. They were still sending players there. The media crunch. Is all about rumors and keeping them alive. Just for readership and clicks. No one cares about the truth today.
Love DM but I don’t see him and Jalen as a good mix. I’d prefer DeM DeR.
Now with Sixers in a position to add real talent to this team. I pray the Embiid to Knicks talk will go away.
Unfortunately for Knicks. Now Sixers are also in the market for a big name. With Heat losing out on Dame. Losing players to FA. And Herro playing well. Gotta wonder what will they do. Makes it harder for Knicks to get their player…….
OG can be a good fit in Philly. Resigning Harris at a fair price. Embiid needs a solid 4 who rebounds and plays D. And shooters around him. Not sure Siakam would be a good fit here. Plus they must settle on their PG situation.
Season is young. So things can still go bad here. Obrue was the right move. But he will want to get paid next yr. Time to retool around Embiid and Maxey.
So what? Maxey, 2 FRPs and 2 pick swaps for OG?
The Sixers brought in some solid mature vets.
Batum will be a solid glue guy for them.
PHI send an all-NBA guard to LA in exchange of their junk… that is gotta be the Sixers worst ever trade… as a matter of fact, probably is the league’s worst ever trade and make no mistake about it!
“Former” all nba guard, would be more accurate. This was a solid return, but enjoy what you are smoking dude.
Former and 1way guard lol ……
I mean, Harden can still produce. He led the league in assists last year while putting up 21 ppg on good efficiency. But the Sixers made out alright with draft capital and KJ Martin (solid young 2-way wing). It’s only part one for them, most likely. Expect another deal coming by the deadline.
Also, the Gobert trade is 100% worse. 200%, even.
The problem is, he’s a ball-dominant player on a team full of guys who are already ball-dominant, and he’s never shown an inclination to curb his style to fit with others around him. On top of that, for all of his production on offense, he gives it right back on D. It’s not an exaggeration to say he’s arguably the worst defending guard in the league – due to ability (or lack of), mobility, and literally tuning out and not trying.
The Clips are sticking their fingers in their ears, and pretending the disasters at Houston, Brooklyn and Philly never happened.
Enjoy your fleecing, dude!
Cam I couldn’t be more proud for you if I tried.
Articles says they feel as if they have the draft capital to make a similar deal to Boston getting Jrue Holiday. If only they could’ve worked things out earlier and got Jrue themselves. I thought he would’ve been perfect next to Maxey in the backcourt but oh well.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Toronto has yet another underwhelming year and Pascal Siakim is that “Jrue Holiday” like target they try go after.
He on an expiring deal, Raptors struggled last year and wouldn’t be surprised if they struggle again this year. They have a new coach, they can easily replace him with OG and Scottie Barnes and promote another shooter into the starting line up like Gary Trent Jr or Gradey.
We have their former head coach in Nick Nurse. In terms of salary matching we have Tobias who we can use as a straight swap or use multiple expiring deals like Morris, Batum, RoCo etc …
Embiid Maxey and Pascal would look pretty good.
Embiid will give us about 30-12-4, Maxey about 25-5-5 and Pascal very similar 20-8-5 roughly.
Two top tier defenders aswell, and we already have good role players in depth with Pat Bev, Melton, Oubre and so on. I’d actually rather we have up Harris and kept some of the older role players
Melton Maxey RoCo Siakim Embiid
Beverly Oubre Batum Morris Reed
Tobias Harris, Kenyon Martin Jr, and 2 firsts with prostrations for Pascal…. Get it done please