A lot riding on Sixers second half

Sixers swingman Evan Turner is on the trade block, but Philadelphia will likely insist on a high price to move him. Credit: Getty Images

The All-Star break is in the rear-view mirror and now the 76ers must again focus on the task at hand— improving the second-worst record in the NBA.

Or perhaps not.

Though tanking is clearly not in Brett Brown’s vocabulary, the head coach can’t deny there are benefits to remaining in the bottom two spots in the NBA standings and having a good chance at a top two pick in the draft lottery.

The 2014 NBA draft is stacked, and Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid are the headliners in what could be a lucrative class for the Sixers, who could have as many as four first round picks with a trade before the Feb. 20 deadline.

It is rumored the team has been shopping Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes, and even Thaddeus Young, but the team is asking for first round picks in any possible exchange.

Philadelphia hosts the Cavaliers tonight, a winnable contest against a struggling Cleveland squad. But the Sixers are coming off eight straight losses, two of which were the worst losses in Sixers history.

There could be some momentum stemming from Michael Carter-Williams, who returns to the squad after representing the Sixers admirably in the Rookie Challenge as well as All-Star Saturday night’s skills competition.

“It’s a great honor,” said Carter-Williams prior to last weekend. “To even be here, to live my dream, to do what I love to do as my job, it’s unbelievable.”

After hosting Cleveland at 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Sixers have four more home games in a row, hosting Dallas Friday night.