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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 04: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks works out before game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Fiserv Forum on February 04, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers were not very active during the trade deadline. In fact, they only made one trade. They ended up sending Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2026 Rockets first-round pick and three second-round picks.
McCain no longer fits with the current roster with the emergence of V.J. Edgecombe. Because of that, they decided to ship him to OKC. That was the only move that they ended up making. Philly sits sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Following the deadline, Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey spoke with the media about the deadline and the moves they made. He also spoke about the moves they weren’t able to make.
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
76ers Explain Why They Couldn’t Land Giannis Antetokounmpo
The biggest fish on the trade market was Giannis Antetokounmpo. He ended up not being moved by the Bucks. Morey addressed the fact that the 76ers never seemed to be in the running to trade for him.
“Because we are playing well, we were trying to upgrade the team and add to the team now. That was goal number one. Obviously, no deal materialized, including using the picks we got from the Jared deal. That’s why we did that deal a little earlier. We were trying to use draft picks to add now. We do feel like this deal sets us up better for the future, but we understand that we were looking to add now, and nothing materialized.”
Morey mentioned that they were trying to use draft picks to add players to this current team. Just draft picks clearly were not enough for the Bucks to part ways with Antetokounmpo. They were reportedly also searching for young players who are good. They ultimately decided to hold on to him for now.
GettyPhiladelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey celebrates. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The 76ers Didn’t Get Better After the Trade Deadline
Philly did not improve following the trade deadline. They wasted an opportunity to get better, including adding an All-NBA type of talent. Antetokounmpo would have made the Sixers a real contender to win the Eastern Conference had he been brought in.
Morey usually isn’t afraid to make big moves, but he wasn’t willing to do this. There were reports that the Bucks wanted Philadelphia to include Edgecombe in any trade with Antetokounmpo. If that was true, they were right not to include him. Still, they could have tried to add someone else.
Perhaps Morey is more content with letting Edgecombe and Maxey grow together and try to win big in future seasons. That isn’t a bad strategy, but the East doesn’t have any clear favorite this season. Next season will likely be different, as many other teams will get better.
Trading McCain was the right move. The first-round pick they got for him won’t be very valuable, but they still get a first-round pick in what is a very good draft. Morey understands they should have been able to do more, though.