With less than a month remaining before the 2024-25 season opens with the training camp, the Philadelphia 76ers will soon be one step closer to kicking off what should be a pretty eventful campaign. The roster is set for now, but the front office still has some legroom to make a move or two in the coming months.
The trade engine should be a bit quiet until the midseason point, but given the mercurial nature of the NBA, things can change in a moment’s notice. That is especially true when your team president is Daryl Morey, a singular pot-stirrer who can flesh out some surprising moves up his sleeve. He surely knows better than all of us, but here are the five best players the 76ers can trade for right now.
5. Derrick Jones Jr. would bolster a still-frail forward rotation for the 76ers
After a solid campaign last season as a starter for an NBA Finalist, Derrick Jones Jr. somehow took a bargain pivot in free agency, ending up with the LA Clippers. Despite the latter losing Paul George to Philly, all signs point to a full-blown winning edict still in place, though that may not subsist as long as expected.
A nucleus composed of an aging and incredibly injury-prone Kawhi Leonard and a declining James Harden simply makes little viability as an actual title contender. Hence, there’s a non-zero chance that the Clippers would hold a fire sale in the foreseeable future, especially if their stars fail to pass the durability test for the nth time.
If so, the 76ers should make a play for Jones. An athletic freak, he has grown into one of the most reliable defenders in the league and was a big reason why the Mavericks made it to the Finals last season. So long as his three-point shot remains functional, even if marginal, he would be a very solid addition to a team still needing some more bodies at forward.
4. Philadelphia can bolster the present and future by trading for Tari Eason
The Western Conference is incredibly deep right now with only one or two teams firmly expected to be in the lottery next season. One club in particular that should be in the thick of the playoff race is Houston, which turned in a solid season in 2023-24 behind across-the-board improvement from their young guns and solid veteran play.
Having said that, the Rockets are probably itching to add more win-now commodities to their plate. Combine that with their embarrassment of riches when it comes to future-oriented cogs, their front office could soon consider consolidating their young players for a key player that can take them over the hump.
Tari Eason could get the hammer if that happens, and he should instantly be on Philadelphia’s radar. The 76ers have the assets to create a solid trade framework to lure the Rockets, and the team also has an actual need for his skill set. While his offense needs major tweaks, his defense and rebounding are top-tier for his position. Even better, he’s still only 23.
3. 76ers fan favorite Georges Niang should be a relatively easy get
In keeping with the team’s incessant need to bolster the forward position, another avenue they can take is to target former 76ers forward Georges Niang, who is currently playing for the Cavaliers. We have previously discussed the merits of luring him back in Philly, and the point still stands that he should be a relatively easy get.
Niang was one of the most important weapons for Cleveland in their second unit last season, bringing off-ball movement, basketball IQ, and most impotantly, reliable three-point shooting. Despite his inherent lack of foot speed, he was a consistent contributor for them the entire year.
If Niang finds himself back in Philly, he can help further diversify the team’s offensive attack and thrive at exploiting defenders doubling down on their triumvirate of All-Stars. Depending on how the coaching staff employs Kelly Oubre Jr. and Caleb Martin, he could even be plugged in as a low-minute starter.
2. Santi Aldama makes too much sense for Philly
Objectively speaking, the 76ers did address their gaping hole at center behind Joel Embiid this offseason, snagging one of, if not the best backup big in the league in Andre Drummond and drafting intriguing big man Adem Bona.
Having said that, depth is only of the functional and operational variant if the team is at full strength, and expecting Embiid not to miss games next season is a like pilgrim for winged elephants. It’s just not happening, especially at this point.
Hence, bolstering the big man positions could only serve them well. A name they should put a laser on is Grizzlies power forward/center Santi Aldama, who is coming off a productive campaign lat season for injury-ravaged Memphis, which he carried over en route to a breakout stint at the Olympics.
1. Dorian Finney-Smith is the perfect trade target for the 76ers next season
All summer long, the 76ers endeavored to find another rotation-caliber forward in the aftermath of the Paul George signing. Snagging Caleb Martin and retaining Kelly Oubre Jr. for basically chump change were incredible bargains, but the team remains in want of size at the tweener position.
With the Nets commencing a fire sale, Dorian Finney-Smith was immediately linked to the 76ers, though the team didn’t have the machinations back then to make a deal done. After December lapses, however, both camps could resume talks toward a potential trade.
Coupling KJ Martin with another small to mid-sized contract and some pot sweeteners in the form of draft picks should be enough for Philly to beat out competitors and force Brooklyn to an assent. Finney-Smith would be a terrific addition to the team, especially given his solid play as a volume three-point shooter and rangy defender.
