With the NBA trade deadline less than 48 hours away, the clock is ticking for teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers, who are looking to upgrade their bench.
Over the last few weeks, the Sixers have been connected to a variety of players, who could be a substantial midseason upgrade. However, the only issue is that Philly does not have many assets to work with.
Even though they have five draft picks in this upcoming summer’s NBA draft along with a valuable 2021 draft pick from the Miami Heat, many teams are looking for a young player to attach with those picks in a potential trade.
With that being known, we’ve heard second-year point guard Markelle Fultz’s name pop up on the rumor mill consistently, but at the time, it seemed like there was no interest. Last week, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reported that the Atlanta Hawks would want Fultz in exchange for a player such as Dewayne Dedmon.
Therefore, are the Sixers seriously thinking about moving the 20-year-old point guard? Well, it honestly depends on who you believe at this point. According to Jon Johnson of KYW1060, the team has re-engaged league interest in the former first overall pick.
However, Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported on Tuesday that Philly is not ready to move on from the young point guard yet, according to league sources. But the NBA insider adds that could in the offseason, especially with Ben Simmons due for a contract extension and Jimmy Butler hitting free agency.
The former University of Washington point guard is currently rehabbing from thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), which he was diagnosed with in December. In 19 games this season, Fultz is averaging 8.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 22.5 minutes per game.
If we take the initial report with a grain of salt about Fultz being available on the trade market, where could the Sixers send him to?
Earlier this season, it was reported that the Detroit Pistons had expressed interest in him. However, is he worth giving up for wing player Reggie Bullock, who is on a cheap expiring deal?
What about the Orlando Magic? They are still looking for a young starting point guard to go along with the core they already have intact.
A hypothetical trade that could work both teams is the Sixers trading Fultz and a 2019 second-round pick to Orlando for veteran swingman Terrance Ross, who is on an expiring deal.
This season, the 27-year-old Ross is having a career year, averaging 14.1 points per game. He is also shooting 43.1-percent from the field and 37.7-percent from three-point range (6.2 attempts per game).
While this deal sounds good on paper, ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported a few days ago that Orlando might not even get a heavily protected first-round pick for Ross. Instead, he might go for two second-round picks.
In addition to Ross, another player who has been brought up in trade rumors recently is New Orleans Pelicans veteran point guard Jrue Holiday.
With Anthony Davis making it abundantly clear that he wants out of New Orleans, many fans started to speculate that the veteran point guard could be out the door next.
Sixers fans, in particular, wondered if Holiday could be back with the team and what would it take to land him. However, the Pelicans are making sure he isn’t going anywhere no time soon.
A few days ago, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that New Orleans has no interest in moving Holiday. Despite him averaging a career-high across the board (21.0 ppg, 8.0 apg, 4.9 rpg), the 28-year-old is still owed an enormous $77 million over the next three seasons.
