The Philadelphia 76ers are at the top of the Eastern Conference, but they certainly aren’t resting on their laurels with the likes of the Brooklyn Nets breathing down their necks.
A report from The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor earlier this weekend disclosed that the 76ers “could make a big acquisition of their own,” before the NBA’s March 25 trade deadline.
This isn’t necessarily all that shocking considering the Sixers were heavily involved in the James Harden sweepstakes last month and were considered by many to be a favorite for his services before the Nets came out on top to spark a mammoth four-team deal.
O’Connor noted that the market “has to take shape,” but one of the names that is emerging as a potential option is point guard Kyle Lowry, who currently plays for the very same Toronto Raptors that the 76ers defeated on Tuesday night.
The 34-year-old Lowry would provide a sizable boost in the Sixers’ offensive threats from range, further stretching the floor to open up the offense further for the likes of Joel Embiid — who would be afforded more space to make plays closer to the basket.
Lowry is shooting nearly 39% from three-point range this season, averaging 17.7 points and 6.4 assists per game with Toronto — the team he’s spent the last nine seasons with.
The Sixers as a team are shooting just a shade over 36.5% from beyond the arc this season, but their best shooters in Seth Curry, Tobias Harris, Danny Green, and Embiid average between just one and 2.3 made three-pointers per game.
Neither of the four can necessarily create their own shots, though, which puts an added stress on the likes of Ben Simmons to facilitate the necessary chances. It’s why Lowry would be such an invaluable get.
Among other potential targets, the Sixers have been linked to a reunion with JJ Redick, who is currently plying his trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 36-year-old is averaging just 18 minutes per night and is nowhere near his career 41% three-point shooting clip.
