PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 02: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards during Game Five of the Eastern Conference first round series at Wells Fargo Center on June 2, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Sad News: Philadelphia 76ers Set To Be Out Without….
On Friday night, the Philadelphia 76ers will welcome the New York Knicks into the Wells Fargo Center for the first time this season, as they look to build off of their win against the Chicago Bulls earlier in the week. Their dominating win over the Bulls featured the return of reigning MVP Joel Embiid, after he sat out of the Sixers’ previous four matches with an ankle injury, which he suffered in mid-December in a match against the Toronto Raptors. His return came in the form of a 32-point triple-double, his second of the season, doing so in only three quarters of play, along with notable performances from Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris, with the partnership combining for 41 points. While Embiid came back, De’Anthony Melton made a trip to the bench, for only the second time this season, as he suffered from soreness in his lower spine. Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse opted to use Kelly Oubre Jr. as a replacement for Melton, with the 28-year-old putting up 16 points, while managing to be quite the threat on the defensive end, recording three steals against the Bulls. It appears that Oubre Jr may be slated for another start as Melton continues to be listed as out due to lower spine soreness.
The second straight absence takes away from what has been an up year for the 25-year-old, as he is averaging a career-high 12 points per game, while also averaging 2.8 steals over his previous four games. Elsewhere on the Sixers’ lineup, Robert Covington and Furkan Korkmaz have been upgraded to questionable, after missing out on Tuesday night’s action. Covington landed on the bench as he had been suffering from effusion in his left knee, while the Turkish guard was suffering from an illness, which seems to still be affecting him. Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.
76ers trade for veteran sharpshooting forward in proposed three-player swap
With a 23-10 record good for third in the Eastern Conference, it would be rather understandable if the Philadelphia 76ers opt to take a more modest approach to the trade market this season contrary to the popular belief that the front office could have something big brewing behind the scenes.
However, with the market slowly getting injected with more talent by the week, it shouldn’t hurt the 76ers if they want to venture into making upgrades on the margins, especially if a move or two could solidiy roles and address weaknesses that could prove lethal in a playoff setting.
Which area should the 76ers solidify through trade this season?
Honestly speaking, Philadelphia does not have a single weakness that is pressing enough to press the panic button and pursue a trade at the first possible instance. With a fourth-ranked offense and a second-ranked defense, the 76ers have shown legitimate two-way consistency this season, especially when healthy.
However, one department the team could look to ameliorate is three-point shooting. While tied for eighth in three-point shooting percentage, the 76ers rank 23rd in attempts. While not destructive, it’s something the 76ers can hedge against games where Joel Embiid or Tyrese Maxey could be sidelined due to injury — a scenario that has become typical in recent years.
Thus, here is one trade proposal where the 76ers consolidate some of their assets for a widely-coveted veteran forward who can give the team’s offense even more juice.
The Sixers aren’t afraid to make moves to win, and you don’t have to be either thanks to BetMGM! Just sign up and place your first bet of $10 or more on Sixers vs. Knicks. You’ll instantly win $200 in bonus bets! Sign up with BetMGM today.
