How much change is needed for a surging Sixers team before the trade deadline? It’s complicated.
The Sixers have won four of their last five games without sidelined standouts Joel Embiid and Paul George, and sit just one place behind the final play-in tournament spot in the East.
Daryl Morey has tough decisions to make.
The 76ers’ president of basketball operations has gained a reputation for combing the NBA for star players and finding the best deal.
But there are certain things for him to consider ahead of Thursday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline. The Sixers have won four of their last five games without injured seven-time All-Stars Joel Embiid (left knee) and nine-time All-Star Paul George (left pinky finger). Their lone loss during that stretch was Friday’s 137-134 setback to the Denver Nuggets at the Wells Fargo Center. Two of their victories came against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold the NBA’s best record, and the Los Angeles Lakers, who entered Saturday in fifth in the Western Conference.
At 19-28, the Sixers have the East’s 11th-best record and are a game behind the Chicago Bulls, who currently hold the final spot for the play-in tournament.
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We’ll continue to learn more about the undermanned Sixers against the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics on Sunday (6 p.m., ESPN, NBCSP).
They defeated the Celtics (34-15), currently No. 2 in the East, at TD Garden on Christmas Day. Maxey (33 points) and Embiid (27) combined to score 60 points in the 118-114 victory. George added 12 points, four assists, three steals, and a block.
While they’re not a favorite to win the NBA title, the Sixers could still be a tough out in the postseason if everything comes together. That would involve getting healthy and building more on-court chemistry over the final 35 regular-season games.
With that said, this season has been a major disappointment.
And they’re likely to lose their first-round pick in June’s NBA draft, which is top-six protected, to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Sixers also don’t have any second-round selections. And they’re nearly $11 million over the luxury tax line.
As a result, the Sixers could benefit from trimming some salaries. They know that a repeat tax will loom in future seasons because they have three maximum-salary players in Embiid, George, and Maxey. They also could benefit from acquiring draft assets.
That’s why one has to wonder what the Sixers will do with players like Guerschon Yabusele, Caleb Martin, Kelly Oubre Jr., KJ Martin, Reggie Jackson, and Eric Gordon before the deadline.
Yabusele is the most enticing trade target for opposing teams. According to sources, the New York Knicks are among the teams interested in the post player. The Celtics and Nuggets also have expressed interest in the Frenchman, according to HoopsHype.
The 6-foot-7, 280-pounder played for the Celtics during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons before heading overseas. The Sixers signed him to a one-year, $2 million veteran minimum contract on Aug. 29. As one of the team’s most dependable players, Yabusele has outplayed that contract. The Sixers also don’t have his Bird Rights, a rule that allows teams to sign their own homegrown players for more money than the salary cap.
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As a result, prospective suitors likely will find it easy to outbid the Sixers for him in free agency. Therefore, the team may choose to trade him now for one or two second-round picks or to fill a position of need.
Meanwhile, a source said the Lakers and Sacramento Kings are conducting due diligence on a potential trade for Caleb Martin. The source said the Miami Heat also contemplated reacquiring their former key role player, who’s making $8.5 million this season. He signed a four-year, $35 million contract with the Sixers on July 6 after spending the previous three seasons in Miami.
Oubre signed a two-year, $16.3 million deal to remain with the Sixers on July 7. The swingman is making $7.9 million this season and has a player option for $8.3 million for next season. Oubre originally signed with the Sixers on Sept. 26, 2023, for a one-year, $2.8 million veteran minimum after there weren’t a lot of free agency suitors.
Oubre, a likeable guy, has improved his image during his tenure with the Sixers. It will be interesting to see if a title contender is willing to unload valued assets for Philly’s glue guy.
KJ Martin (foot), who hasn’t played since Dec. 23, re-signed with the Sixers for $16 million over two years on July 12. His second season is nonguaranteed, which could be enticing for a squad looking to dump salary next season.
Like Yabusele, Jackson and Gordon are on one-year, veteran-minimum deals. Gordon could help a title contender in need of a three-point specialist.
His .426 three-point percentage is the second-highest of his 17 NBA seasons. And even that doesn’t come close to showing his recent impact. The 36-year-old has been shooting 52.6% from deep over the last 17 games, including 12 starts.
So, again, what will Morey do?
The Sixers definitely could use some draft capital and shed salary. But at the same time, these role players — especially Yabusele and Gordon — have played key roles in the team’s recent success.
Caleb Martin is recognized as the modern-day Boston Strangler.
The 29-year-old, who tormented the Celtics as a member of the Heat, including during the 2023 Eastern Conference finals, poured in 23 points on Christmas on 8-of-11 shooting — including seven three-pointers.
He would prefer to stay put, according to a league source. Another source said the feeling is mutual. The team is aware of the impact he could have during a playoff run.
Meanwhile, Oubre has started games at shooting guard and small forward this season. His ability to cut to the basket, thrive in the dunker spot, and provide stellar defense has enabled him mesh with the Sixers’ Big Three of Embiid, George, and Maxey.
His averaging 21.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals over the last five games in a major reason while the team went 4-1 over that stretch. Oubre would be a major loss.
Surely, a healthy Sixers squad would benefit from also keeping Yabusele and Gordon, especially in a potential postseason matchup against the Celtics or Cavs.
If they believe Embiid and George can get healthy, Morey will be better suited to keep this roster mostly intact.