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THE DEADLINE IS THURSDAY
GET ON THE PHONE DARYL! TREZ IS GETTING ROASTED AGAIN!
Sixers Adam did an entire trade deadline primer, featuring salary implications, cap rules, etc.. He also listed the top 30 targets for the Sixers. Here's a taste:
#30: John Wall, Los Angeles Clippers (remaining contract: two years, $13.2M)
It felt like the entire basketball world was rooting for Wall to regain a semblance of his prior excellence. But unfortunately for Wall and the Clippers, it just hasn’t happened. Wall seems almost certain to be moved, but I don’t view him as a definite upgrade from Shake Milton at all.
#17: JaVale McGee, Dallas Mavericks (remaining contract: three years, $17.1M)
McGee was one of the best backup centers in the NBA last season playing for the Phoenix Suns. He capitalized on that season by getting a fully-guaranteed three-year deal from Dallas, accompanied by a promise that he would start at center. But since then, things have not gone as planned: McGee rarely sees playing time at all by now, and the Mavericks would certainly jump at the chance to shed his salary. If McGee can muster up a performance anything similar to his play in Phoenix, he would be an ideal backup center to pair with Harden, an excellent lob threat who knows how to screen and roll.
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#3: Josh Hart, Portland Trail Blazers (remaining contract: two years, $25.9M, 2023-24 player option)
Despite intending to contend for a playoff spot, the Blazers seem likely to move Hart, who has the chance to hit free agency after the season if he chooses to do so. I won’t pretend to have a good handle on what that contract might look like, but it doesn’t matter too much to me right now. Hart is undeniably a very good player, an ideal fourth or fifth starter who, if traded to the Sixers, would come off the bench alongside another starting-caliber player in Maxey. Hart has struggled from beyond the arc this season, but has been a passable shooter for most of his career. He is a tough and flexible defensive player who also happens to be one of the single best rebounders in the NBA among perimeter-oriented players -- amazingly averaging at least eight rebounds per game for the second time of his career, despite only being 6-foot-5. And, yes, I know, he went to Villanova.
To see the entire list, check out Adam's column.