Key Takeaways:
• Profound offseason maneuvers expected from the Philadelphia 76ers.
• Sixers tipped to consider blockbuster trade for Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant.
• The proposed trade could include Tobias Harris and Kyle Lowry from the Sixers’ end.
• It may be a financially fair deal for Phoenix Suns, but the team shows no inclination to change its current structure.
Astute Offseason Moves from Sixers
The Philadelphia 76ers face a pivotal offseason, as they aim to reconfigure their squad around stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The team looks forward to holding onto its first-time All-Star, Maxey, in hopes of securing a new long-term contract during the restricted free agency period. Meanwhile, the Sixers seem to be contemplating their next significant acquisition.
The Speculation Around a Potential Durant Trade
According to ESPN’s NBA insider Zach Lowe, Daryl Morey, the 76ers’ President of Basketball Operations, is likely to express interest in Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns. Durant, a 14-time All-Star and MVP of the 2013-14 season, is presently in his third year of a four-year, $194.2M contract, which counts for $49.8M against the salary cap. After a disheartening first-round playoff sweep by the Minnesota Timberwolves, questions hover around Suns’ future plans.
Constraints for a Successful Trade
However, a potential Durant deal comes with logistical challenges. If the Sixers want to incorporate Durant without completely renouncing their free agents, they might have to wait. The Suns, restricted by new CBA rules, cannot aggregate outgoing contracts in a trade, nor can they acquire more funds than they dispense. These restrictions leave only one choice for the Sixers, as a substantial in-season trade offer can’t be achieved this offseason.
The Possible Trade Package
Despite the hurdles, the Sixers might likely propose a trade package, involving trading Tobias Harris for Durant. Harris’s five-year, $180M contract has been an encumbrance for the Sixers, making him a potential trade candidate. Despite his average performance in the postseason, he had a robust regular season and could prove valuable for Suns. In addition to Harris, the Sixers might bring in Kyle Lowry, offering the Suns a validated point guard endowed with veteran acumen and defensive capabilities.
Issues Concerning the Trade
Although this setup seems appealing, there are certain roadblocks. Both Harris and Lowry need to agree on new deals before free agency, making Suns’ job difficult which is already limited due to CBA rules preventing them from acquiring any player in a sign-and-trade as a second-apron luxury tax team. The situation indicates that the Harris and Lowry trade could only materialize by late December.
Trade Scenario Likely Balanced for Suns
Financially, these trade permutations would make sense should the Suns desire a change from the CBA. However, Suns’ owner Matt Ishbia expressed a keen willingness to retain the same group for the next season, which throws a spanner into the works for Morey. Yet, the Sixers’ draft capital holds significant weight in this trade scenario. While Durant’s value cannot be equaled by Harris and Lowry, their inclusion would complement the Suns’ roster and also provide them with future draft assets.