Despite a CBA that puts a lot of constraints on modern team building, there could still be a lot of significant shakeup around the NBA this offseason — or at least shakeup amongst the top stars in the league.
Kevin Durant will almost certainly be changing teams again after a disastrous season in Phoenix. Giannis Antetokounmpo could be finally looking to depart the Milwaukee Bucks for cleaner pastures as well.
Now that they officially own the third overall pick in the 2025 draft, the Sixers suddenly have some of the better trade assets in the league. They’ll still owe firsts to the Thunder and Nets the next few years, but they’ve made up for that by getting a couple firsts and a swap from the Clippers in exchange for James Harden.
While nothing appears to be imminent, there has already been some chatter that Philadelphia could use the spot they’re in to make a big move.
In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s draft expert Jonathan Givony reported some in the league are anticipating the Sixers to get involved in these trade talks.
“Some teams expect the Sixers to be active in trade conversations, with names such as Kevin Durant (Phoenix) and Lauri Markkanen (Utah) as potential targets in packages that could include Paul George and the No. 3 pick. Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has made a career of being active and aggressive on the trade front, but historically, it’s rare to see a top-three pick being traded.”
It’s important to note that these are just expectations based on Morey’s prior history rather than any snooping around he may be currently doing. Still, it’s worth wondering if these trade options should be explored, especially if it provides an early exit ramp from the Paul George experience.
Starting with the most unlikely since an Antetokounmpo trade was not even mentioned in Givony’s piece.
Now that Jayson Tatum will likely miss all of next season as well, the East is even more wide open than it was previously. If, by some medical miracle, Joel Embiid is able to play at a high level for a consistent basis, they should go all in on this.
They should package everything they have — the third pick this year, Jared McCain, future Clippers picks, their own future picks, sacrifice it all in hopes of doing the damn thing next season.
From the outside looking in though, it just feels extremely unlikely. As interesting as a team led by Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Maxey would be, they’d be too tied down by the Embiid contract to maximize that group’s potential.
For that reason, sitting on their young talent and assets — seeing what they have in each of them and prioritizing a longer term outlook will likely benefit this team more. Despite a wide open conference that was already weak to begin with, the Sixers aren’t in a position to go all in again.
That is why acquiring Durant would also be a mistake. Swapping him for Paul George would undoubtedly be an upgrade while getting off the hook for paying PG three more seasons, but it wouldn’t improve the Sixers’ chances enough to make it worthwhile.
As was demonstrated by the Suns being unable to even make the play-in last year, the 36-year-old Durant showed he’s not capable of carrying a team the way he once was. Embiid’s ability to do the same is obviously in doubt, and Maxey has yet to show he can rise to that level.
Not only would their chances of winning only marginally increase, but they’d be put in a similar contract situation even after dumping George. Not only does Durant want a change of scenery, but he’s expecting a new deal to come with it when his $194 million dollar deal expires after the 2025-26 season. He’s certainly better than George, but the Sixers would still be tying down a lot of money to another star approaching 40.
So what about Markkanen? At 27 years old and with his four-year extension set to kick in this season, he could make a lot more sense as the franchise pivots to making Maxey and McCain as their centerpieces.
While the Jazz might balk at taking on George’s contract, there’s still plenty of potential for deals between these two teams. As Givony pointed out, the draft really gets interesting when the Sixers come up at three due to the drop off in talent after the top two picks.
The Sixers could slide back a little bit while still getting a player they like if one of these teams that got jumped in the lottery decides they really like someone at No. 3.
Trading the third overall pick might be the best possible move, but if the Sixers do it, it cannot be for a short-term opportunity.