After yet another early exit from postseason play, the Philadelphia 76ers will be looking to upgrade the roster over the offseason.
Doing so might be easier said than done, as they'll have limited salary cap space. As a result, they might have to get creative on the trade market and target guys with high upside, as opposed to guys who are already established.
Justin Champagnie named 76ers' top offseason trade target
Washington Wizards reserve forward Justin Champagnie was recently named as Philadelphia's top offseason trade target by Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report.
Last season, Champagnie averaged 8.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20 minutes per game off the bench for Washington. As a versatile wing player, he would fill an area of need for the Sixers, but as a career 34 percent shooter from long range, his ability to space the floor leaves something to be desired. Still though, he could be a fit for Philly given a lack of other viable options.
"Assuming the Sixers have stars to support, they should be shopping for team-first hustlers to fill in the cracks around them.That's basically where Justin Champagnie is excelling already, and that's without Washington putting actual stars alongside him," Buckley wrote.
"He's an all-in-your-airspace defender and relentless rebounder who makes good decisions and takes smart shots. His three-ball comes and goes, but he doesn't force things that aren't in his arsenal. That's why he's a 6'6" reserve wing who just shot better than 50 percent from the field in back-to-back seasons on one of the league's worst offenses. ... The Sixers would be smart to make that trade before another savvy win-now shopper beats them to it."
The Sixers already had Justin's brother, Julian, on the roster a couple of years back. Perhaps they'll look to add the other brother. Philadelphia is the City of Brotherly Love, after all.
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