Sixers mock trade targets high-flying starting power forward

The attention now turns to Daryl Morey with the conclusion of the NBA Draft and free agency being underway. There appears to be a real concern over who will start at the power forward position alongside Joel Embiid.

It seems like the proper move would be to slot a player there that could help with protecting the rim and rebounding to help take that load off Embiid’s back.

The Cap Is Cooked — So Trades Are the Only Option

With limited cap flexibility and minimal wiggle room, the Sixers aren’t pulling any big rabbits out of the free agency hat. Any real upgrade at the four spot is going to have to come via trade.

Let’s be real: If a deal’s going down, it’s probably going to involve Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond. That’s $13.4 million in salary to work with. As much as Sixers fans love Oubre’s energy and Drummond’s rebounding, they might be the necessary sacrifice to build a legit starting five.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Advisory (@sixersadvisory)

With Tyrese Haliburton reportedly missing the season due to an Achilles injury and Myles Turner walking to Milwaukee, the Indiana Pacers may be quietly entering a soft reset mode. They just made an NBA Finals run — shoutout to them — but without their engine (Haliburton), they’re not sniffing another Finals run.

Indiana isn’t trying to pay the luxury tax for a team that might miss the playoffs, and that opens the door for the Sixers to swoop in and snag Obi Toppin.

Obi Toppin Checks Every Box

Bench players with 70+ points, 30+ rebounds, 12+ threes in a Finals:

— Robert Horry
— Obi Toppin

That's it. pic.twitter.com/pG03FwqwwB

— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 20, 2025

Toppin brings everything you need from a modern power forward. He can play well above the rim and brings explosion in the transition game. Not only that but his outside shooting is a legit weapon now as well. It was a weakness coming into the league but not anymore.

His outside shooting has come a long way, and he can even dabble at the small-ball five when the Sixers want to go fast. He’s not going to demand the ball, but he’s going to finish everything around the rim and run the break with Maxey, McCain, Edgecombe etc. This team needs legs, speed, and a dude that can fly. Toppin is all of that.

And look, I’m being as unbiased as I can possibly be while pitching this Toppin trade — but I watched a ton of Pacers games last season, and the dude is absolutely electric. I mean, just imagine him lighting it up from three at the Wells Fargo Center, then throwing down a nasty transition dunk right after. That kind of energy would be insane in Philly.

If the Sixers are serious about competing this season, they can’t trot out a patchwork lineup and hope to figure it out on the fly. There are real needs here — and the power forward position is at the top of the list.

It’s time to act Morey

Obi Toppin isn’t just a body — he’s a legit piece who fits the timeline and style of this team. Indiana wants to shed salary, and the Sixers have the perfect package to make it happen. Oubre and Drummond are good soldiers, but this roster needs more than just “guys”.

This is the type of move Daryl Morey needs to make. It’s not the splashiest of moves, but it’s one of those that could really benefit the team and fit with this more young, up-tempo style of team they are putting together.

Join The Chase