The Philadelphia 76ers are poised for a highly flexible offseason compared to most NBA teams. This begins with their No. 16 overall draft pick, which appears likely to be available for trade discussions, following a pattern set by team president Daryl Morey. The challenge lies in the timing: the draft precedes the official start of free agency by just four days.
Philadelphia can potentially create up to $65 million in salary-cap space, enabling them to pursue top-tier free agents such as Paul George or LeBron James. However, trading the No. 16 pick on draft night, whether for an established star or a role player, would reduce this cap space before free agency begins. They must carefully consider whether the trade-off of immediate impact versus free agency options justifies sacrificing potential cap flexibility.
In light of these considerations, six experienced players stand out as potential trade targets for the Sixers on draft night.
If the Bulls opt not to retain their current core, they could seek more than just the No. 16 pick for Caruso. However, if they were open to accepting only that pick, or if the Sixers were willing to sweeten the deal with additional assets, Caruso would be an ideal addition to complement Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
Alex Caruso has been named to the All-Defensive team for two consecutive years. Last season, he achieved career highs with averages of 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, shooting 46.8% overall and 40.8% from three-point range. His addition could allow Tyrese Maxey to focus less on guarding elite opponents, providing secondary playmaking and shooting to keep the Sixers’ offense effective.
Dorian Finney-Smith, a target from the Brooklyn Nets, brings strong three-and-D abilities as a low-usage power forward alongside Joel Embiid. He consistently ranks highly in defensive metrics and shoots 36.3% from beyond the arc, potentially filling the defensive role the Sixers had hoped for with P.J. Tucker.
Kyle Kuzma of the Washington Wizards, despite defensive limitations, had career-best performances in points and assists last season. He could bring additional scoring alongside Embiid, but acquiring him might complicate the Sixers’ salary cap situation, particularly with upcoming free agency plans.
Malcolm Brogdon of the Portland Trail Blazers offers playmaking and shooting skills that could complement Maxey in the backcourt. However, concerns about his injury history and salary implications could impact the Sixers’ financial flexibility, especially if they aim to sign players to maximum contracts in free agency.
Collin Sexton or Jordan Clarkson from the Utah Jazz provide scoring options, with Sexton being younger and a more proficient shooter, though also more expensive. Clarkson excels as a sixth man, providing immediate scoring off the bench. The Sixers would need to carefully consider their contracts relative to their remaining cap space, especially given the impending free agency period.
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