2023-2024 Sixers Season

[zambonir]

I don't think it's really going to be that hard for Morey to figure out. The stuff he got for Harden was always going to be equally useful at the deadline or in the off-season (if he just lets them expire). They can afford to stand pat. They can even afford to be buyers if they acquire other pending free agents or someone who fits beyond this year (whether they are under contract or have Bird rights. It's only trickier if they decided to sell because then you should trade Harris and possibly Oubre Jr. too. The other guys don't have that much value beyond their contracts and small roles.

It's also not going to be remain a mystery before the deadline. They will know what is realistic for Joel based on what surgery he ends up having. And they also know it is probably not realistic to expect Joel back/healthy/100% ever. So buy or sell accordingly.

Morey came here to win a title but he also loves to trade (and was Hinkie's mentor). Would not surprise me to see him piling up picks.

[zambonir]

It seems like the Sixers are trying not to show their hand before the trade deadline in terms of saying what kind of procedure Joel had, though I would think the kind of conversations they have would take away the mystery.

[phillychuck]

They said he will be reevaluated in 4 weeks and begin rehab immediately, which means it wasn't a repair requiring stitches, just a trim. Good news, but expected.

[zambonir]

I did not see any report about rehab, just the four week evaluation. But sure, I see all the gossip is that they expect him back.

Funny how what was a negative a month ago - that Joel will never be fully healthy enough for the Sixers to go further regardless of higher seed or deadline adds - is now a positive - that any Joel is better than no Joel and the deadline adds can keep them at 6 or 5 in the meantime

[xogfog]

The issue is they are not winning without Embiid and are currently the 5th seed. If they don’t add, by the time Embiid gets back they may be lucky to be in the play in spot.

[zambonir]

They're also missing other players. But yeah - the question is how much capital to you spend on upgrades for the playoffs and how much do you spend on upgraded for Joel's absence? It's possible to do both - and it's possible they have the capital for both, but if they spend it all it has to be for someone who is the third piece beyond this year too.

It's also possible they will trade Harris, but that's tricky too (in terms of making the team worse until Joel is back).

[xogfog]

I would trade Harris for Kyle Kuzma if Washington would do that, Kuzma is comparible, he's a small forward that can play the 4, he's an inch taller than Harris and a few years younger and under contract for a few a couple more years after this. If Washington is looking for an expiring contract, they might want to do it. For the trade to work, the Wizards would have to throw in another salary, I wouldn't mind getting Landry Shamet back.

[andyb]

Washington does not really care about expiring contracts. They basically want all the draft picks they can get. Reportedly 2 number 1s for Kuzma. They really have no reason to trade Kuzma too for less than that since he has 3 years left on a reasonable contract that has declining salaries each year (so in subsequent years he'll be easier to trade for higher value).

Wizards can take on salary in deals, but that is more the realization that they will not be threatening luxury caps in the near future and they'd rather buy better picks by doing that.

[zambonir]

Well, the Sixers can afford that price for Kuzma, but is he worth that, just as a player and in terms of fit? In terms of youth/contract/salary he certainly would be.

It's still always tricky to match up the salaries and not hurt the team in some other way. Like, the first year they got Harden they still wound up missing Drummond a ton (and even Curry a little). Trading Tobias (especially if it's for someone who replaces him) might be better than losing 1 or 2 role players (along with 1 or 2 you don't care about).

Won't be long now!

[xogfog]

Reports are that the Sixers are in on Buddy Hield and Bojan Bogdanovic, I guess they want 3 point shooting more than anything else.

[zambonir]

They've been in on those guys for like five years!

[phillychuck]

I would trade Harris for Kyle Kuzma if Washington would do that, Kuzma is comparible, he's a small forward that can play the 4, he's an inch taller than Harris and a few years younger and under contract for a few a couple more years after this. If Washington is looking for an expiring contract, they might want to do it. For the trade to work, the Wizards would have to throw in another salary, I wouldn't mind getting Landry Shamet back.

Harris is a great guy, revered in the locker room, and a fine player. Kuzma is a little bit better as a player, but is pretty universally despised by his teammates. I don't think there's any chance of that trade.

[VoteForKalas]

Harris is a good player, but has never raised his level for what he is being paid.

I doubt they'll ever be able to deal him for something more valuable unfortunately.

The whole team stunk on ice last night, losing to a sub .500 Warriors team at home with Curry only scoring 9 pts.

Harris was -22 and Maxey -27, not going to get the job done. This is when these guys need to step up and be real leaders.

[zambonir]

Harris has no value other than as an expiring contract added to the draft picks, and as just another piece who could make the money work. In most cases it wouldn't make the team better to lose him even as you are adding, but if you added someone at his exact position it's not out the question.

He makes so much money you probably have to take someone back too.

But they are more likely to deal Morris, Covington and the bottom of the roster.

[phillychuck]

If Morey doesn't make a significant deal today they are punting the season. I'm not entirely opposed to that (since it does allow Joel to get fully back healthy before he plays again), but I want them to be honest about it. Don't bring in Andre Drummond and Tyus Jones and think that will fix everything...

[zambonir]

Supposedly they are after Demar now. Talks with Detroit broke down. All the reporters say they're expected to be aggressive but it's a light market, probably, and Joel's injury gives them cover to not make a bad deal just to deal.

I don't think they will punt on the season though, if Joel is coming back you have to do enough to keep the team in the top six even if you haven't made them into a serious finals contender.

Hindsight says they should have done a deal with the Raptors but you have to assume that if Nurse had wanted either of those guys badly enough they would have

[zambonir]

well all right then. now they get Drummond I assume.

10:24 a.m. ET: The Philadelphia 76ers are acquiring guard Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers, in exchange for Marcus Morris, Furkan Korkmaz and three second-round picks, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

[bigegypt0417]

After what seems like a decade, sixers get their man!

[zambonir]

Haha I wonder what the first year was that their interest was rumored.

Not exactly a championship-sealing piece either but they've needed to fill that Seth Curry/Reddick spot.

[bigegypt0417]

I didn't realize he's also an expiring contract....