Trading Martin for a younger player with some team control (Grimes will be a restricted free agent) this summer is a move tailored for the future. What that means for other cheap pieces of Philadelphia’s bench heading into the trade deadline is something that is worth watching from the Celtics perspective.
Guerschon Yabusele is the first name to watch here. Michael Scotto of Hoopshype reported that the Celtics are one of several teams who have inquired about the big man in recent weeks. Yabusele makes the veteran’s minimum, making him very easy to deal for Boston with draft compensation and without adding more tax penalties to their payroll. Yabusele addressed the trade rumors with reporters on Sunday night after the Celtics win.
“I’m not trying to think too much about it,” Yabusele said. “I’m just trying to come out here and do my job and do it the best I can, try to help the team...Right now I’m a Sixers player and I’m hoping to stay a Sixers player.”
Normally, the Sixers would have no interest in dealing a 29-year-old in a breakout season who seems to fit well next to Joel Embiid. However, it looks like the Sixers (as of now) don’t have the necessary cap room to be able to retain Yabusele this offseason since they don’t have his Bird Rights this summer. The only way that changes is if they clear enough salary this offseason to give them access to the full mid-level exception so that’s the area to watch here in the coming hours.
The 76ers have loads of money tied up in Embid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey for the future but have some other cheaper pieces they could sell off (Andre Drummond, Kelly Oubre, Eric Gordon) for assets now to net some more spending power this offseason in theory. If they do that, there’s a chance that they try to bring Yabusele back. Trading away a hybrid forward in Martin would conceivably be a sign that they are going to lean into Yabusele more in a starting role at power forward.
However, if the Sixers don’t go that route and move more future salary now, retaining Yabusele for Philadelphia long-term would not be doable. That would certainly encourage them to entertain offers for the big man from teams that view him as a useful rental like the Celtics.
The 76ers will certainly be able to command several second-round picks for the Frenchman per multiple sources, if he ended up being dealt. Would some team like the Celtics be willing to include a late first round pick to land a valuable insurance policy at power forward? Yabusele has played well enough of late to make it a consideration.
It’s also worth noting here that Gordon probably becomes more likely to move here for the 76ers as well with Grimes looking like a guy that will take his role in the future. The Celtics are one of several teams that could look his way if searching for help on the wing.
Ultimately, what Daryl Morey’s true intentions are here will become clear in the coming hours and days. Reading the tea leaves on those will help signal what’s next for Yabusele on the trade market.
