Sixers trade deadline preview: What to expect, trade candidates, and more

With the continued rise of All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey and the surprising return of Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers are suddenly in a position to not only make the playoffs but potentially make some noise in a highly questionable Eastern Conference.

The Sixers initially approached the deadline looking to once again navigate their way below the NBA's luxury tax, sources tell Philly Sports Network. At the time, that involved almost certainly moving Kelly Oubre Jr., who has been a critical contributor all season long, and especially in the wake of Paul George's recent suspension.

Speaking of George's suspension, it may in fact be the key to the Sixers avoiding such a cap casualty like Oubre, as Philadelphia will receive a tax credit of roughly $5.8 million, bringing them just $1.26 million above the tax. Being able to so easily avoid the tax is news to the ears of the Sixers organization, but the players have their eyes set beyond saving some cash and hope to at least maintain the current rotation and ideally add talent by the deadline.

After a win over the Sacramento Kings, Joel Embiid addressed the media from his locker, candidly sharing his thoughts on what the team should do at the upcoming NBA trade deadline.

“Obviously, we've been ducking the tax the last couple of years, so hopefully we keep the same team," Embiid said. "I love all the guys that are here. I think we got a shot. So hopefully, I don't know what they're gonna do, but I hope that at least we got a chance to just go out and compete because we got a good group of guys in this locker room, and vibes are great. So yeah, like I said in the past, we've been, I guess, ducking the tax so hopefully we would think about improving because I believe we have a chance.”

Currently on a four-game winning streak with the chance to make it five against a short-handed Warriors team tonight, the Sixers are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, in spite of George's suspension. Though they are currently the sixth seed in the East, they are just three games back of the second seed and two games ahead of the play-in.

Philadelphia has the opportunity to strike this deadline and help their hopeful ascent to come over the next few months, but may opt to ride the current tide and hope improved chemistry and the soon-to-be converted deals of current two-way players Domnick Barlow and possibly Jabari Walker are enough of an addition. 

While the Sixers are not exactly asset-poor, considering their precarious positioning due to the money guaranteed to Joel Embiid and Paul George, the team's assets are ever more precious as they continue through this transitional period from the Joel Embiid era into the Tyrese Maxey era.

Before looking at which Sixers may be dealt and the players Philadelphia may attempt to acquire, here is a list of the team's trade assets, both players and draft picks.

Sixers trade assets

*Stepien rule prevents trading out of the first round for consecutive future seasons.

Safe from trade talks

The following players are considered untouchable to the Sixers organization: Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

Likely safe from trade talks

Either due to their importance to the team or their value being at a temporary low, the following players are likely safe from trade talks: Paul George, Kelly Oubre Jr., Jared McCain, Trendon Watford, Kyle Lowry, Justin Edwards and Adem Bona.

Could be traded

The following players could be traded by the deadline, but are considered more likely to remain with the team: Quentin Grimes and Johni Broome.

Likely to be traded

The following players are likely to be traded: Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon. 

Sixers trade targets

As is the case every year, Daryl Morey and the Sixers will do their due diligence on any player they are potentially interested in acquiring. From multi-time All-Stars to back-end bench pieces, here are some of the names to know.

The main event: Giannis Antetokounmpo

The biggest potential domino in many ways this trade deadline season, the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo is uncertain in every sense except that it will not take place in Milwaukee.

Despite never publicly demanding a trade, Giannis has made it clear to those inside and outside the Milwaukee Bucks organization that he is looking for a new NBA home moving forward. Among the teams that fans have connected to a potential deal are the Philadelphia 76ers.

Maxey’s aforementioned rise and the connection he and Giannis share to NBA shot guru Drew Hanlan have led to a report that the idea of teaming up with Maxey has put the Sixers on his radar.

Whether or not the Sixers—who at last check have yet to reach out to the Bucks regarding Giannis—should pursue the nine-time All-Star ultimately comes down to cost. Milwaukee will understandably demand the inclusion of VJ Edgecombe, and this is where Philadelphia should draw the line.

Along with Edgecombe, the Sixers would have to include Paul George for a matching salary and multiple first-round picks to satisfy the Bucks’ trade needs. It’s a lot, but this is a Hall of Famer in Giannis. If they can swap Egecombe for another young, exciting prospect, the most fitting being sharpshooting guard Jared McCain.

Either way, expect Daryl Morey to at least make the call to Milwaukee. — Ciavolella

Quality starters

There are some quality starters who could be on the market at the right price and change the playoff calculus for the Sixers and other teams around the league. The New Orleans Pelicans, who were just in town on Saturday night, have two players who fall into this category. Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones could be game-changing starters for the Sixers team, who lack two-way depth on the wings, especially with Paul George’s prolonged absence on the horizon.

Both would require real assets to be attached, but for salary matching, Jones would be easier to acquire. A trade including either Quentin Grimes, who can veto any trade with a no-trade clause or Kelly Oubre Jr., plus Andre Drummond could make the money work. Trading for Murphy III would likely mean including Paul George in a deal and a third team to take on George’s $51 million contract. 

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason could be another quality player who could slide into the Sixers’ starting lineup inthe  absence of Paul George and be a future starter. Eason seems like a perfect fit for the Sixers, a do-it-all forward who can defend, shoot, and put it on the ground when needed. He’s made a mark in the Rockets’ rotation, but will they have enough money to keep him around next season? He is on an expiring deal worth about $5.6 million; they could look to move him for a player like Quentin Grimes, who fits their needs for a guard.

Another player the Sixers could try to acquire that would be classified as a quality starter is Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks. With Giannis Antetokounmpo seeming out the door, the Bucks could decide to sell, and Portis is a trade candidate. Portis is a good fit because he can rebound, space the floor from the power forward spot, and play small ball five. He has toughness that this team could use in playoff situations. 

To trade for Portis, it would likely require a similar package to the one it would take to get Herb Jones with some assets attached.  — Crosby

Buyer beware

Especially with the suspension of Paul George in effect, the Sixers will be in search of reinforcements at the deadline—at least if Joel Embiid has his way.

Despite being suspended, George can be dealt by the deadline, but the Sixers shouldn’t be in a rush to do so, especially for certain players. With George missing the next 24 games, the idea of replacing him could be more tempting to some.

After serving his suspension, George will have 10 regular seasons plus the postseason to play this season at most. After that, he will have two-years and more than $110 million remaining on his contract.

As has always been the case, it’s not that the Sixers should not trade Paul George as much as that they should not just make any trade.

Despite his usefulness this season, the idea of salary dumping George, or at least using him as matching salary in a deal as its merit, but doing so in a trade that lands you a player of Giannis’ caliber is one thing. The reality is that there are few players, whether in a direct two-team trade or an expanded deal that involves a third team or more. The core mistake to avoid is swapping bad contracts.

One name that comes to mind is Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. Like Giannis, Kuminga primarily plays power forward, and his time with his current team is rapidly coming to an end. Unfortunately, that’s where the similarities end.

Golden State was once Philadelphia’s primary competition to land George, along with the Clippers, and in the wake of the recent Jimmy Butler injury, a replacement wing could go a long way. Unfortunately, George’s own lack of ability is a reason against such a move and Kuminga as a player is more self-oriented than the Sixers should desire.

As George has been, Philadelphia needs a player who will complement their roster, primarily as a shooter, defender, and occasional facilitator. George has checked all of those boxes while Kuminga checks none.

Players who are equally poor fits would be DeMar DeRozan of the Sacramento Kings, who, while lethal in the midrange and a quality facilitator, is not a quality defender, nor can he stretch defenses on the other end.

Then there are the more expensive, equally flawed options like Jerami Grant, Michael Porter Jr., Lauri Markkanen and Zach LaVine.

Not a quality defender among them, and while they can all stretch the floor, at their price point—both their salary figures and the price of acquisition—there’s no real benefit to acquiring any of these options. 

Michael Porter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen are the most attractive of the two options, and Porter has the playoff experience a hopeful contender like Philadelphia would want, but his track record, particularly during the NBA Finals, is not as exciting as one would hope.

These might be attractive names on the surface, but buyer beware. — Ciavolella

Quality role players

There are a solid number of role players who could be available at the deadline, either as starters or quality bench guys, that the Sixers could target if the price is right.

Dallas’ Naji Marshall and New Orleans’ Saddiq Bey are on the higher end of the wings that fit in this category. Both have been having good years, but Bey has been on a tremendous heater the last three weeks, so his value is at an all-time high. The Pelicans would try to get as much as they could for him, and Dallas would likely have the same strategy. 

Chicago Bulls’ guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu could be targeted by the Sixers as insurance for Quentin Grimes and Jared McCain. Both have had an up-and-down season and never played well at the same time. Trading for either guard could give head coach Nick Nurse a different option, or if the organization sees one of them as a potential future third guard, they could opt to try to swap with Grimes.

Obi Toppin and Malik Monk have proven to be good rotational NBA players in their careers and could help the Sixers out in their own ways. Monk could provide an offensive punch off the bench or even as a starter, while Toppin could be a good fit next to Joel Embiid, providing athleticism, rebounding, and the ability to space the floor.

Acquiring either would take combining two or three salaries. Toppin has been injured for much of this season, and the Sixers would need to be sure he would be returning sooner rather than later.

Brooklyn Nets forward Haywood Highsmith could be a wing player who could interest the Sixers, as he has shown to be a solid rotational piece in the past. He was a key piece on previous Miami Heat playoff/play-in teams the last few years, but has yet to play due to a knee injury this season.

If he could return for the stretch run, Philadelphia could easily make that call to Brooklyn, but that remains to be seen. — Crosby

Young and fun

Here we are, the exciting meat of potential trade candidates.

Coming into the deadline, the Sixers were monitoring their options, aiming to avoid the luxury tax once again. As frustrating as Paul George’s suspension is for the team, the one positive is the $5.6 million tax credit the team will receive, which could help them both dodge the tax and bring in an impactful player.

Jared McCain’s fellow Sacramentan—that is, a person from Sacramento—Jaylen Wells has hit the sophomore wall hard. After being named to the 2025 NBA All-Rookie team, half of a down season may be a bit soon for the Grizzlies to give up on the young wing, but it’s undoubtedly time for Daryl Morey to test their attachment to him.

Bennedict Mathurin is the young Pacer often mentioned in trade rumors. Instead, may I offer you a Jarace Walker?

Walker has received far more playing time this season but struggled to make the most of the of his newfound role. He’s flashed legitimate potential through stretches, but has yet to firmly establish himself, and as the Pacers continue their off-year as they await the return of Tyrese Haliburton, turning Walker into a more future-oriented asset could prove worth it’s while for Indiana, while Philadelphia would receive a versatile young player at a position of need.

After seeing their roles continue to diminish, Dalton Knecht and Yves Missi have both found themselves in the rumor mill. Knecht was an impressive rookie last season, averaging 9.1 points per game while shooting 37.6 percent from three on nearly four and a half attempts per game.

Knecht appears no longer to be in the Lakers' plans, as evidenced by his drastically reduced role, and has struggled without consistent minutes. While three-point shooting isn’t among the Sixers’ prime needs, teams always need cost-controlled shooting.

Yves Missi, on the other hand, could be the bridge center the Sixers have been looking for between Joel Embiid and Adem Bona. Missi has similar traits to Bona; both are athletic, undersized shot-blocking rim-runners. However, Missi is a bit bigger than Bona, which helps him to be a more effective rim protector. Bona boasts a wingspan two inches longer than Missi’s, but Missi still measures in with a seven-foot two-inch wingspan with a standing reach that is an inch and a half higher than Bona’s. 

Like Missi, there is another center who is finding himself on the outs with their team, and, also like with Missi, the Sixers should do what they can to swoop in to their rescue.

If there is a way, whether as in a direct deal, as a third team or even a fourth, the Sixers should do what they can to land Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware. No longer a starter, Ware has now played less than 10-minutes in three of his last seven games. There’s a clear disconnect between Ware and head coach Eric Spolestra, and the Sixers should do what they can to take advantage of it.

Finally, there’s Max Christie, thought to be a key part of the Luka Doncic trade that occurred a year ago today. The Mavericks are not motivated to move their young sharpshooter, but with their bottom-feeding record and the pocket full of dreams Daryl Morey operates in, there could be an opportunity to add a legitimate difference-maker for years to come. Acquiring Christie would likely involve both picks and players, but could be worth the price of admission in the long-term. — Ciavolella

Backup bigs

In the Joel Embiid era, the Sixers have always had issues with whoever is backing him during the stretch run and postseason. This year is no different, with current backups Andre Drummond and Adem Bona each having flaws against different matchups. They each have had their time as the primary backup, and then Nick Nurse began to play them depending on the matchups or other teams’ rotational bigs.

Drummond has been rumored to be on the trade block for weeks, with Bona supplanting himself as the primary reserve at center. If Drummond is traded, the team could be in the market for another big man who can play with or without Embiid, as the Sixers have struggled to rebound this season, even when he is on the court.

Chicago’s Jalen Smith, Utah’s Kevin Love, Boston’s Chris Boucher, and Indiana’s Jay Huff all have a skill set to be able to rebound and space the floor as a stretch five and could play alongside Joel Embiid.

Daniel Gafford of the Mavericks, Isaiah Jackson of the Pacers, Day’Ron Sharpe of the Nets and Jock Landale of the Grizzlies all represent options as traditional backup centers who could play if Adem Bona doesn’t have it on specific nights.

From the group of traditional centers, Gafford is potentially most intriguing as a taller shot blocking and lob catching threat that could mesh well with Tyrese Maxey’s driving ability and potential to throw a ton of alley oops.

Some of these players could potentially be really solid fits, but the ones that would be more realistic would be those whose salaries are cheaper than Drummond, who carries a salary of $5 million. — Crosby 

Note: Jock Landale has been traded to the Utah Jazz as part of the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade.

Young and cheap

As the young and fun candidates are a combination of the most realistic and exciting, the young and cheap players are far more realistic.

The Philadelphia 76ers have previously held trade conversations with the Memphis in mid-December, which, a month and a half ago, was more newsworthy as the Sixers, by this point, have surely spoken to most, if not all, teams to some degree.

GG Jackson is among the team’s more interesting, affordable options. Despite his struggles this season, there is talent somewhere deep down, and he certainly has the size of an imposing forward.

The Sixers already let one Champagnie slip away, and now he’s a starter alongside Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio. The older of the identical twins, currently serving as an occasional starter with the Washington Wizards, Champagnie does a bit of nearly everything, not unlike Kelly Oubre and Justin Edwards. An exceptional rebounder for his size, and a solid athlete though he’s quicker than he is fast, Champagnie fits the mold of what Nick Nurse looks for— in fact, he began his NBA career playing for Nurse.

A couple of young, exciting bigs who Sixers fans have recently seen, if Moussa Diabate or Karlo Matkovic can be had, they’re worth looking into for the Sixers. Both are solid rebounders, while Diabate is an extremely active offensive rebounder and strong rim-running threat, while Matkovic has the added ability to stretch the floor.

Nick Nurse’s birth is not for a few months away, but acquiring Devin Carter could prove and early present of sorts. While Carter has not caught on in the league to the degree many had hoped when he was drafted 13th in the 2024 NBA Draft, he remains a lengthy, active defender who could wreak havoc defensively under Nurse. — Ciavolella