2024 Trade Deadline 1 Month Away — Here’s What Sixers Can Do

The 2024 NBA Trade Deadline is only about a month out and the Sixers have their eyes on the Finals. It’s been over 20 years since Philadelphia could even surpass the 2nd round, but this year may be different. Right now, Philly looks like a top 3 team in the East with only Milwaukee and Boston looking like they are better. There is a path where the Sixers could avoid both of these teams, but either way, they don’t look like a championship squad.

They can make it one by February 8th.

Rumors have been swirling about multiple All-Star level players and Daryl Morey is the man that you want to get you these guys. Morey has a history of trading for Starpower, most recently in trading for James Harden in 2022. According to Brian Windhorst, Philadelphia is going to be aggressive and could possibly make several trades.

If this is true, here’s what Daryl Morey could target:

Dump Tobias Harris‘s Contract

Tobias Harris has been a very serviceable forward for the Sixers for almost 5 years now but his contract is still awful. Harris is making almost $40 million a year when he deserves maybe half of that. He has not made the All-Star team once since being in Philly and it doesn’t look like he ever will. Daryl Morey could consider trading Harris for multiple role players. The only downside to this would be that this would be sacrificing a big role in the Philadelphia scheme and it would have to be filled immediately. It might make more sense for Morey to trade Harris in a trade that will land Philly a star that will make an immediate impact instead of losing this big of a role.

Trade for Lauri Markkanen

The Utah Jazz have a lackluster record at the moment and may be interested in trading a big piece for a bunch of little ones.

Lauri Markkanen has been nothing but good for Utah, but they still can’t win with him. Trading him for multiple role players may be the move to make. The Sixers would likely have to trade players such as De’Anthony Melton, Paul Reed, Kelly Oubre Jr., Tobias Harris, or other valuable players in order for this trade to go through, but it likely won’t take all of them. Realistically, Daryl Morey may be interested in a Tobias Harris trade, involving a few other players that could include Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum, KJ Martin, or other role players. It may be worth it to trade depth for.

Trade for Dejounte Murray

The Hawks are surprisingly going to be sellers at the trade deadline, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

“Atlanta owes its 2025 first-round selection to San Antonio as part of the haul that landed Murray, so there’s plenty of sense for the Hawks, currently 14-19, to weigh selling some of its veteran contributors, incorporating a lottery pick alongside Young and Johnson, then stepping back toward Atlanta’s bigger goal of competing in the playoffs under head coach Quin Snyder next season.”

This implies that the Hawks don’t have much interest in Murray in being a centerpiece, despite his 4 year, $114 million contract extension this past summer.

If Atlanta wants draft picks, Philadelphia can hand that to them with their 2024 1st Round pick, their multiple 2024 2nd Round picks, a 2026 1st Round pick, or multiple other later draft picks.

If the Hawks want to start rebuilding around Trae Young and Jalen Johnson, the Sixers have the young assets to give them.

If the Hawks want to build on their current team with an experienced, skilled veteran, Tobias Harris is always available.

There are multiple different ways for this trade to work and it could be interesting if Daryl Morey wants to create a deep backcourt with Maxey and Murray.

Trade for Zach LaVine

The one man everybody has had their eye on for months now is Zach LaVine. LaVine was rumored to possibly head to Philadelphia by trade all the way back when James Harden was yet to be sent to the Clippers.

LaVine is coming off of back-to-back All-Star appearances and could be heading to a third straight trip this year. He’s a Guard/Forward who can play at an elite level and could bring the Philadelphia offense up to the next level. LaVine has played alongside DeMar DeRozan in Chicago for a few years now and hasn’t seen much success. The Bulls have a below-average record and if they decide to sell at the deadline, it could be expected for Daryl Morey’s phone to ring. A starting lineup with Zach LaVine would improve the offense, but LaVine is not a good defender. Losing Melton in the starting lineup who’s one of the best perimeter defenders in the league for a below-par one is not ideal, but it may be worth it for an offensive boost.

Nothing

There’s a good chance Philly does nothing on February 8th. As of the writing of this article, according to Basketball Forever the starting lineup of Embiid, Maxey, Harris, Melton, and Batum has the best offensive and defensive rating out of any 5-man lineup in the entire NBA. They have been dominant and have consistently been around a top 5 team in the league.

Daryl Morey has no pressure to make a move and if he doesn’t feel it’s going to work, Philly fans know he is not going to force it.