A Sixers Trade For Every Price Range
I bring up all of that to say this: outside of players on gigantic contracts, the Sixers have a way to make the money work for a trade for nearly any player in the NBA if they are willing to send out the requisite value.
Adam Aaronson, whose legal name is Sixers Adam (@SixersAdam on Twitter), covers the Sixers for The Rights To Ricky Sanchez. He believes cantaloupe is the best food in existence, and is brought to you by the Official Realtor of The Process, Adam Ksebe.
When you are in pursuit of a championship, every offseason becomes critical. For Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers, this summer is no different. After another second-round exit, Morey and co. need to figure out how to retool this roster in a way that makes them genuine title contenders.
The front office’s job is far from easy. However, the Sixers have much more maneuverability than what people realize. They have Danny Green’s non-guaranteed $10 million salary (the money becomes guaranteed if he is still on the roster on July 1, though that date can be pushed back if both sides agree) as well as a few medium-sized contracts and a handful of interesting young players that could appeal to other teams.
After Green’s $10 million cap hit, the Sixers have Furkan Korkmaz at $5 million, and in Matisse Thybulle they have what is likely their best asset this summer -- a captivating young player -- one who conveniently also happens to make a decent amount of money at $4.3 million. They also have the 23rd pick in this year’s NBA Draft, among a few less-noteworthy trade pieces who remain viable assets.
I bring up all of that to say this: outside of players on gigantic contracts, the Sixers have a way to make the money work for a trade for nearly any player in the NBA if they are willing to send out the requisite value. So, let’s look at one player in each price range that the Sixers can go after.
Green, Korkmaz and Thybulle for… Eric Gordon
Remaining contract: two years, $40.5M (2023-24 salary not guaranteed)
Gordon, a former teammate of James Harden and a longtime favorite of Morey, would give the Sixers an elite shooter who can do more than replace Green’s contributions on offense, while also likely being a better defensive player. Additionally, he would give them some more competent secondary ball-handling, which you can never have enough of.
With his 2023-24 salary not guaranteed, the Sixers could easily cut bait if things didn’t work. But I think Gordon could carve out a significant role on this team, especially with Green’s injury and the potential exodus of Thybulle.
Gordon is very malleable, which is the kind of player the Sixers desperately need on the wing. His primary production will come as a shooter, but it won’t be the only thing he can do at a high level. Gordon does have an ominous track record health-wise, but when he is on the floor, he’s still a very reliable rotation player. Gordon could either add great spacing to the Sixers’ starting lineup or be used as a scorer off the bench.
Green and one of Korkmaz or Thybulle for… Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Remaining contract: one year, $14.0M
Caldwell-Pope was often-maligned during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he’s a rock solid two-way player who has quietly turned himself into a very good shooter over the last few seasons.
Again, the Sixers would be adding a replacement for Green here. Caldwell-Pope is not the shooter that Green and Gordon are, but he’s more than capable off the catch these days. Caldwell-Pope is also by far the best defensive player of the three thanks to his excellent mobility on the perimeter.
Last year was Caldwell-Pope’s best scoring season since his days on some subpar Detroit Pistons teams. He averaged 13.2 points per game last year, and over the last two seasons he has shot a combined 39.8 percent from three-point range on 4.9 attempts per game.
The volume and efficiency from beyond the arc is there with Caldwell-Pope. He won’t give you the ball-handling that Gordon can, but he is a far more reliable defensive player.
Green for… De’Anthony Melton
Remaining contract: two years, $18.7MClearly, the Sixers would need to either include Thybulle or valuable draft compensation to make this worth doing for the Grizzlies. And while they are a very good team, and very good teams don’t often ship out rotation pieces, the Grizzlies have the luxury of being able to do so thanks to their ridiculous depth. They essentially dumped Grayson Allen last summer, and could easily move Melton for long-term value while maintaining a healthy guard rotation.
Melton, who was drafted by Morey in Houston before being dealt, has turned himself into one of the better reserve guards in the NBA. He’s always been extremely gifted athletically and physically, which contributes to his excellent defense.
The most exciting part about Melton, though, is the way he has rebuilt his jumpshot. When Melton entered the league, shooting was arguably his biggest weakness. But in the last two seasons, he has shot a very solid 38.8 percent from three-point range on 4.7 attempts per game. When you watch him now versus his collegiate days, the eye test backs up the numbers -- his refined shooting stroke is much, much better than it used to be.
Melton would be a particularly fascinating fit alongside Harden as an off-ball player who can take on the most challenging perimeter defensive assignments.
Korkmaz for… Cedi Osman
Remaining contract: two years, $14.1 million (2023-24 salary not guaranteed)
You have to admit, a swap of the two Turkish wings would be pretty funny. Comedic value aside, the Cavaliers are nearing a roster crunch on the perimeter, especially with another lottery pick on the way as well as the possible return of restricted free agent Collin Sexton.
If the Sixers attached a second-round pick or two to Korkmaz, I think they could likely swing a deal for Osman, who I would describe as more stable than Korkmaz. He has the same aggression as a three-point shooter -- also to mixed results -- and is much more viable defensively.
Osman wouldn’t be a starting-caliber player in Philadelphia, but he would certainly upgrade their depth on the wing.
Isaiah Joe, Paul Reed or Charles Bassey for… Kenrich Williams
Remaining contract: one year, $2 million (2022-23 salary not guaranteed)
As a bonus, here’s one fun idea: Williams, one of what feels like dozens of young role players on the Oklahoma City Thunder, would be a welcomed addition to this team, thanks in large part to his rebounding. We saw the Sixers struggle on the glass all season, and Williams would be a major help in that department.
Williams also has some passing chops, much more than what you would expect from a forward of his size. His shooting remains a work in progress, but he and Georges Niang tag-teaming backup power forward minutes could be a productive development.