Report: 76ers will be ‘active in exploring ways to add to their roster’ at the NBA Trade Deadline
According to a report from Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Philadelphia 76ers will be “active” leading up to the NBA Trade in February as they look to better their roster to help aid their quest for a championship.
76ers to Potentially Shop Korkmaz, Thybulle, Springer
“Philadelphia will be active in exploring ways to add to the Sixers’ quest for a championship, especially following the team’s recent 15-3 stretch. Philadelphia officials have been encouraged by the pairing of Joel Embiid and James Harden, as well as the team’s overall performance, despite each All-Star, Tyrese Maxey, and other contributors missing significant time due to injury.
There is also a financial aspect that may underscore the Sixers’ trade deadline efforts if the right upgrades don’t materialize. This season currently marks Philadelphia’s third straight year as a taxpayer, which would subject the Sixers to pay repeater tax rates on every dollar over the 2023-24 tax threshold. The Sixers are hovering just above this year’s tax line at present, which could put players like Furkan Korkmaz, Matisse Thybulle, and Jaden Springer in the trade conversation.”
Read Fischer’s full article here >>
The 76ers have a great star core in Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey, and the team has shown high signs of success when those three all take the court together. But just like in previous years, while it’s definitely been better, the Sixers lack still lack significant impact players off the bench.
Think about it. When you have two players on your roster in Matisse Thybulle and PJ Tucker who are solid defensively while nonexistent on the offensive side of the court, things tend to look messy at times with Doc Rivers’ rotations.
Read more: Nerlens Noel praises Joel Embiid following Tuesday night matchup >>
Joel Embiid is playing like the MVP per usual, and James Harden has found new ways to elevate his game other than just scoring. Despite playing just 25 games this season, Harden leads the league in assists with 11 while averaging 21.2/7.6/10.6 in five games in January.
Wing depth is an area that the team could explore, being linked to guys like Jae Crowder on multiple past occasions. Daryl Morey has shown in his time here that he’s not afraid to go out and get guys to improve the Sixers roster.
So really, who’s available to move?
The main pieces are exactly who Fischer mentioned. Furkan Korkmaz, Matisse Thybulle, and Jaden Springer.
Korkmaz and Thybulle have been rumored on the trading block over the last few seasons. Both are relatively young and can provide a team two different types of skillsets. Korkmaz, shooting. Matisse Thybulle, defense. As for Springer, at only 20 years old, he definitely has a major upside for a team looking to unload players at the deadline and focus on a rebuild.
The Sixers, winners of 13 out of their last 16, are back in action tonight vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder, followed by a five-game west coast road trip that starts vs. the 21-23 Utah Jazz.
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