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Getty ImagesAfter an up-and-down start to the 2022-23 NBA season, the Philadelphia 76ers have found their footing in recent months. They've won 22 of their past 28 games, putting them only 2.5 games behind the Boston Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
With All-Star center Joel Embiid averaging a league-leading 33.4 points per game on a career-high 53.1 percent shooting and James Harden chipping in 21.3 points and a league-high 10.9 assists per game, the Sixers have the foundation of a championship core in place. Tyrese Maxey has adjusted well to his new role as a sixth man, while Tobias Harris has adapted his game to fit well alongside the Sixers' other stars. Their new starting five of Harden, Harris, Embiid, De'Anthony Melton and P.J. Tucker is outscoring opponents by 13.1 points per 100 possessions, which ranks in the 81st percentile of all lineups leaguewide.
In other words, this isn't last season, when the Sixers had Ben Simmons' absence looming large over them leading into the trade deadline. Team president Daryl Morey recently hinted that the Sixers are eyeing more marginal upgrades ahead of this year's deadline rather than another blockbuster.
Before diving into the Sixers' biggest needs ahead of the trade deadline, here's a brief refresher course on where they stand financially at the moment.
Because they used the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign Tucker and the bi-annual exception to sign Danuel House Jr. this past summer, the Sixers cannot cross the $157.0 million luxury-tax apron at any point between now and June 30. They currently have roughly $151.4 million in salary on their books, which leaves them slightly more than $5.5 million below the apron.
The Sixers are also only $1.2 million above the league's $150.3 million luxury-tax threshold. Since they've been taxpayers in each of the previous two seasons, they would become subject to the more punitive repeater tax next season if they stay above the tax line this year, too. Their tax bill projects to be lower than $2 million for now, but ducking the tax would push the repeater clock back one year and make the Sixers eligible for a tax disbursement that projects to be around $16 million this season.
Ideally, the Sixers would find a trade that improves their playoff rotation while allowing them to dip below the tax line. That'll be easier said than done, though. Considering that they're currently +950 to win this year's NBA Finals, per FanDuel Sportsbook, they should prioritize upgrades over tax savings if they have to choose between the two.
With that in mind, here's a look at their major areas of need heading into the trade deadline.
Wing Depth
The Sixers signed Tucker and House this past offseason to round out their wing/forward depth, but neither has panned out quite as expected so far. Tucker has shown flashes of the defensive intensity that made him critical to deep playoff runs with the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat over the past two years, although he's been inconsistent offensively. Meanwhile, House has fallen out of the Sixers' rotation over the past month.
The Sixers aren't likely to find a taker for Harris, who's being paid $37.6 million this year and is owed $39.3 million next year. Harris' scalability has also been an asset to the Sixers this season, so they shouldn't be in a rush to move him unless it's for a clear upgrade.
The same can't necessarily be said for fourth-year swingman Matisse Thybulle, the only other wing in the Sixers' current rotation. He's set to become a restricted free agent in July, and the "level of organizational trust" in him "isn't high," according to Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.
The Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks are among the teams who've been linked with Thybulle in recent days, according to multiple reports. Longtime NBA insider Marc Stein reported Saturday that the "prospect of Thybulle getting traded before Thursday's buzzer is very real."
If the Sixers do trade Thybulle and don't receive a wing in return, they'll be woefully thin at that spot behind Tucker and Harris. Furkan Korkmaz is their only other option beyond House at that spot, and he's been relegated to mop-up duty for most of the season.
Thybulle can be a game-wrecker defensively, but his offensive woes made him a liability during last year's playoffs. If the Sixers don't expect to lean on him in the playoffs and/or re-sign him this summer, they might be better off moving him now to cut their losses. Swapping him for a better-shooting, worse-defending wing might be appealing if they're looking to limit their potential weak spots in their playoff rotation.
Backup Big
Montrezl Harrell and Paul Reed have been battling throughout the season to claim the primary backup center job behind Embiid. Harrell appears to have the leg up over his younger counterpart for now, as Reed has more DNPs (nine) than he does games with 10-plus minutes (five) since the start of December.
However, Harrell's limitations as a pick-and-roll defender and rim protector have been on full display in recent weeks, perhaps never more so than in Sunday's abominable loss to the New York Knicks.
The Sixers jumped out to a 21-point lead in the first quarter, but the Sixers' all-bench unit (including Harrell) gave nearly all of it back before halftime. Reed wound up playing over Harrell in the second half, although he didn't fare much better. The Sixers got outscored by 15 points in Harrell's three minutes (!) on the floor, while Reed was a minus-14 in eight minutes. All of that happened against a Knicks team without starting center Mitchell Robinson, one that was on the second night of a back-to-back.
Sources told Neubeck that the Sixers would be "interested in acquiring a safer/more traditional backup to Embiid for certain matchups in the playoffs," even if they keep both Harrell and Reed past the trade deadline. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports mentioned Utah Jazz big man Jarred Vanderbilt as a possible target, although Utah's price for him may be out of the Sixers' range, according to Paul Hudrick of Liberty Ballers. The Sixers have also recently called the Detroit Pistons about backup center Nerlens Noel, whom they originally drafted with the No. 6 overall pick in 2013, per James Edwards III of The Athletic.
Whether the Sixers add another backup big by the deadline or peruse the buyout market, they clearly still have some unresolved questions at that spot.
Looking Ahead
As much as the Sixers should focus on a potential title run this year—particularly after the Brooklyn Nets perhaps fell out of the running by trading Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday—they also need to be mindful of their long-term outlook.
Thybulle isn't the Sixers' only notable free agent this summer. Shake Milton, Georges Niang and Reed will all join him in free agency, and Harden, House and Harrell can become free agents as well by declining their respective $35.6 million, $4.3 million and $2.8 million player options for the 2023-24 season.
The Sixers already have $117.1 million in guaranteed salary on their books for next season. The current salary-cap projection is $134 million and the luxury-tax projection is $162 million. Re-signing Harden alone could push them close to taxpayer territory, as his maximum starting salary on a new contract is $46.9 million.
If Harden is either willing to pick up his player option or re-sign for far less than his maximum salary, it could enable the Sixers to re-sign some combination of Milton, Thybulle, Niang and Reed without dipping too far into the tax. But unlike this past summer, when his opting out and taking a discount came with a tangible benefit—giving the Sixers access to both the non-taxpayer MLE and bi-annual exception—they figure to only have the taxpayer mid-level exception at their disposal this offseason.
The Sixers will have Bird rights on Harden, Thybulle, Milton and Reed, which allows them to exceed the salary cap to re-sign any of them on a salary up to their respective maxes. They have Early Bird rights on Niang, so they can offer him a contract with a starting salary that's 105 percent of the average salary for this season. (That should come out to roughly $11.3 million, which is right around the projected non-taxpayer MLE.)
If the Sixers aren't optimistic about their chances of re-signing some of their impending free agents, they might look to flip them for someone on a longer contract. Then again, they could always decide to go all-in on this year's title run and deal with the consequences this summer, even if it means losing some of their free agents for nothing.
Having to balance the long-term outlook and luxury-tax concerns with the potential of a deep playoff run will make this a tricky few days for the Sixers to navigate, even if they don’t have a Harden-esque blockbuster up their sleeve again.
Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac or RealGM. All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.
Bryan Toporek, Senior Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryantoporek/2023/02/06/the-sixers-biggest-needs-at-the-2023-nba-trade-deadline/
By: Bryan Toporek, Senior Contributor
Title: The Sixers' Biggest Needs At The 2023 NBA Trade Deadline
Sourced From: www.forbes.com/sites/bryantoporek/2023/02/06/the-sixers-biggest-needs-at-the-2023-nba-trade-deadline/
Published Date: 02-06-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
What does waived mean in NBA?
A team can officially release a player from their roster if they have "waived". This could be for salary cap reasons, personal reasons, or disciplinary actions. A player who is waived becomes an unrestricted agent and can sign for any team in the league. They are not eligible for the postseason if they are waived after March 1.
Which NBA player is the NBA's all time scoring leader?
Kareem Abdel-Jabbar is currently the NBA's leading scorer. He has scored 38,387 points in his career. LeBron Jam is second with 37 062 points. Karl Malone comes in third place, with 36.928 points. Kobe Bryant comes in fourth place, scoring 33,643 Points. Michael Jordan is fifth, with 32 922 points.
What's the time frame to become a NBA superstar?
To become a true professional NBA star, it takes a lot of dedication and time. Being a NBA star takes hard work, physical conditioning, skills development, and years. On average, most players spend between three and five years in college honing their skills before they can make it into the draft. After being drafted, players need to continue their success in the NBA. They must earn a spot on their team and be eligible for All-Star teams. Doing so requires even more training and professional guidance from coaches and trainers. To become a NBA star is not something you can do in a matter of days or years. It takes dedication, commitment, and time to reach such accolades. With the right mindset and determination, however, anyone can reach their goals and become an NBA superstar!
Who is the best defender of all time in the NBA?
Anybody familiar with basketball would not be surprised to see "The Dream" at the top of this list. Hakeem Olajuwon made 3,830 blocked shots over his 18-year NBA career. This is more than any other player. He was also a 9-time All-Defensive player and 2-time DPOY, leading his team to win two NBA Championships. He was an outstanding defender. His timing, footwork and athleticism enabled him to be a superb shot blocker and rebounder. He was a terror for opponents because of his ability guard any position. Not only that, but he was also one of the greatest offensive players as well. He was an extraordinary player with incredible agility and quickness. His deadly spin moves allowed him scoring in the post. His versatility and ability to play all positions made him one the most valuable players in the game, not to mention defenders. Hakeem Olajuwon is undoubtedly a worthy leader on this list.
Bill Russell is only #2 on this list because of his 15.1 ppg average, but he was a great defender and caused nightmares for opposing teams. Bill Russell, who has 11 NBA Championships and the highest defensive win share in NBA history (133.64), is a true legend. His rebounding and defensive skills were crucial to the Boston Celtics' remarkable success. Many consider him the most decorated NBA defender. His ability to read and anticipate play made him an intimidating presence on court.
Dennis Rodman comes in third on this list. He was an exceptional player in the NBA history and had a huge impact every time he played. Rodman was a tough defender, rebounder, and did not need the ball to score. This allowed Rodman to be an effective player, which enabled him to win many games. Dennis Rodman was a 7th-time Rebounding Champion, 8th-time All Defensive Players, 2nd-time DPOY, 5th-time NBA Champion and 2-time All Defensive Player. His defensive end skills were among the most impressive, with his determination and ability to stay in the right position at the correct time. He was also a great rebounder. He often out-jumps taller players and takes boards from them.
Who holds the record at the NBA for most career playoff wins
With LeBron James leading the way, racking up an impressive 174 wins in NBA Playoffs history and 266 games played, it's no wonder he is one of the most sought-after basketball players today.
Statistics
- An estimated 800 million viewers watched the [105]2017–18 season. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The opening game of the 2020 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat brought in only 7.41 million viewers to ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- "NBA first-round ratings drop 27 percent, 40 percent since 2017–18". (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
External Links
bleacherreport.com
- Which NBA Teams will Join the Victor Wembanyama Teamathon?
- Latest NBA Intel: Sources Expect Zach LaVine to Re-Sign with Chicago Bulls
twitter.com
- Tweet / twitter
- Sam Amico on Twitter: "Timberwolves Waive PJ Dozier, CJ Elleby and AJ Lawson - Hoops Wire https://t.co/xKu1ZTuQZN" / Twitter
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
sports.yahoo.com
- Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos
- NBA Finals Game 1 has the lowest recorded viewing figures in history.
How To
What is the best way to get drafted into the NBA?
High school and college are the two main routes to becoming a NBA basketball player.
NCAA schools are available to college students, such as Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of Kentucky. These schools offer training and education for four years. This period teaches players how to handle the ball, shoot, and rebound. They learn how to run an offense and defense. They also develop the mental skills necessary to become a professional runner.
Prep schools are located outside the states where high school players live. These schools are focused on talent development and provide athletes with personalized attention. Players are taught academics, character development, and sportsmanship.
Both types of players must pass the same physical tests before they are allowed to enter the draft. The test consists of running 40 yards, jumping over a 5'6" box, standing on one leg, and throwing a football through a tire.
These players are invited to take part in training sessions at various NBA teams if they pass the tests. The teams evaluate players based upon their height, weight and wingspan.
Also, teams look at the player's previous experience. AAU basketball player will most likely get preferential treatment.
A lot of players who are too small to play professionally are considered "one-and-done" prospect. These players are often chosen in the second round.
Some players opt to skip college and join the NBA straight away. These players are called "prospects." Prospects don’t need to wait till the end to declare that they are eligible for draft.
They can apply for an exemption to enter the draft early. If a prospect does this, he can compete with other prospects during the predraft process.
Prospects can improve their chances of getting selected by participating in summer leagues. Summer league games are held in July and August.
These events give scouts the opportunity to watch players in action, without the need for injury risk.
The NBA Draft is held each June. It's when the 30 NBA teams evaluate all the top prospects. Each team gets a certain number of picks within each round.
As an example, in the first round, the 15th overall selection is chosen. In the third round, the 20th selection is the 60th pick.
After the draft, teams trade to make their rosters complete. Many teams hold mini-camps where draftees can train with them.
Draft day is thrilling! What happens?
Once the draft begins, there is no more waiting for your name to be called. Every NBA team has to select players from the pool.
A contract is sent to a player once he has been selected by the team. It details his salary, playing hours, and benefits. He is a member the organization.
A jersey with his name on it and a uniform featuring his new nickname are also included.
Finally, he signs his contract. This means that he has officially joined the NBA.
