Key Takeaways:
– Philadelphia 76ers have options for their offseason trades, with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey being crucial to their plans.
– Dejounte Murray emerges as a valuable player that the 76ers might want in case plans for larger stars fall through.
– The 76ers have displayed potential interest in Murray and Paul George, but no definite agreements are in place.
A Possible New Face for the 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are considering some big moves. This summer, their roster may see new stars, as they prepare for the offseason trades. The team’s central figures include Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Maxey, especially, has drawn attention as he is set to bag a staggering $205 million contract.
Bleacher Reports’ Greg Swartz voiced that should the 76ers fail to attract basketball titans like LeBron James, Paul George, or Jimmy Butler, Dejounte Murray might be an excellent fit for the team. As per Swartz, with Murray playing the lead ball-handler, we could see more off-ball opportunities opening up for Maxey.
Dejounte Murray: A Promising Pick
Murray, 27, has impressed everyone with his recent seasons with the Hawks. He averaged 22.5 points per game, with commendable figures of 6.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and a shooting performance of 36.3%. These stats were based on a career-best of 7.1 per game three-point attempts from the previous season.
He demonstrated substantial potential playing as a lead guard, scoring an average of 24.8 points, and 9.2 assists during the 23 games that Trae Young was out due to finger surgery. The promising player is at the start of a four-year, $144 million deal and carries a $25.2 million cap hit going into 2024-25. This leaves the 76ers with a sufficient budget of around $40 million to construct the rest of their lineup.
A Perfect Trade Package?
Of course, the success of the acquisitions highly depends on whether the 76ers can devise a promising package for the Hawks. A possible trade scenario could involve up to five first-round picks from the 76ers over the next few years. This decision hinges on the value of these draft picks in upcoming trade discussions.
The 76ers’ possible offer to the Hawks could include first-rounders for 2024, 2026, 2028, 2029, and 2031. This means the Hawks would receive the 2024 first-round pick collected at No.16 overall.
Paul George: Still in the Mix?
Additionally, though rumors suggest that the Sixers have become a bit lukewarm towards Paul George, new reports imply that this may be a smokescreen, and their interest continues to linger. Marc Stein of The Stein Line voices skepticism over the Sixers backing off entirely from George until he either settles with the Clippers or lands elsewhere.
The ace player George has an option for $48.8 million in the last year of his four-year contract, totally $176.6 million. His desire is a deal that surpasses his teammate Kawhi Leonard’s contract in terms of money or duration.
There’s a lot in store for the 76ers, and they clearly have decisions to make. With all the rumors and possibilities swirling around, it’s going to be a dynamic and intriguing summer for the team and its fans. Let’s hold tight to see how it pans out!