For the Philadelphia 76ers, the best way to improve this offseason is either through their own internal improvement or through the trade market.
At the moment, per HoopsHype, the Sixers have:
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Non-taxpayer mid-level exception: $12,220,000 (could lose access to this if they go over the apron)
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Bi-annual exception: $4,448,000 (could lose access to this if they go over the apron)
It is assumed that James Harden will opt out of his player option and then make a decision between either staying with the Sixers or rejoining the Houston Rockets where he had the most success in his career. Philadelphia will certainly try and work out something with him in order to keep in the City of Brotherly Love, but if they can’t, then the avenues for Philadelphia to improve are going to be limited to the trade market.
With that said, Sixers Wire is going to rank some of Philadelphia’s best trade pieces and place them into tiers.
There is a school of thought that Embiid could be moved if Harden were to walk. One could make the case that the Sixers should just move the big fella and hit the reset button, but at the same time, he is just too good to move. The man just won the MVP award and he led the league in scoring two years in a row. He has to be the guy the Sixers continue to build their team around.
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Wait and see tier: James Harden
When it comes to Harden, the Sixers can either re-sign him and keep him in tow, he leaves for the Rockets, or maybe the Phoenix Suns come into play. The Chris Paul situation has complicated things for Philadelphia and Harden and there is a school of thought that maybe the Suns and the Sixers can just swap point guards in a sign-and-trade scenario.
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Close to untouchable, but could be had for the right price tier: Tyrese Maxey
The Sixers are in contention to win a title. Therefore, if they have an opportunity to acquire a Damian Lillard or a Bradley Beal type of player, then Maxey will have to be on the table. It isn’t that the Sixers just want to move Maxey just for the sake of making a move, it will have to be for an upgrade, and if somebody like Lillard or Beal can be had, maybe Maxey is moved at that point.
Splashy trade pieces: Tobias Harris and De’Anthony Melton
Of course, Harris will have his name dangled out there for trades as he has in the past. His contract expires in the 2023-24 season so that gives him value and somebody the Sixers could move and get something for at this stage of his time in Philadelphia. He has been a solid player throughout his career with the Sixers, but at $39 million, it’s time for both sides to move on.
The Sixers could also keep Harris around considering he comes off the books in the 2024 offseason.
As for Melton, he is a very productive player on both ends of the floor. One has to figure that the Sixers will keep him around, but if somebody like Lillard does become available, he might have to be attached to the deal to make it work.
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One might scoff at the “sneaky value” tag when it comes to Korkmaz, but he does have one year left on his deal at $5.4 million, but when he gets playing time, he can still be effective. He can shoot the ball, he can put the ball on the floor, and he can even run offense for a team in a pinch. There is a chance that the Sixers could get something for him.
Tucker is unlikely to be moved at all. The Sixers acquired him in the 2022 offseason to help them take steps forward in terms of their toughness and push them closer to a championship and with two years left on his deal, he is not likely to be moved in a trade.
Springer is an intriguing young player who has yet to really get a chance at the NBA level. He has been toiling in the G League continuing to take steps forward, but if the Sixers aren’t going to give him any real playing time at this level, then maybe there is a team out there willing to make a move for him and give him that chance.
Story originally appeared on Sixers Wire