Guide to the NBA trade deadline: 76ers
The Vertical Front-Office Insider Bobby Marks, a 20-year executive with the Nets, breaks down the Philadelphia 76ers' situation as Thursday's trade deadline approaches.
HANG UP IF THEY ASK ABOUT ...
Own first-round pick
Even in an average draft, having a top-three pick holds tremendous value. Especially because the lottery in May will determine if the 76ers land a player like Ben Simmons.
Lakers' first-round pick
Best case for Philadelphia would be for this pick to carryover to 2017. This pick will have more value this summer than it will now. The early projections call for the draft class of 2017 to be very strong.
Sacramento trade conditions
The conditions from the July trade with Sacramento are detailed in the section with draft picks. Based on the uncertainty of the Kings' roster, Philadelphia needs to hold onto this and allow it to collect interest.
SMALL BODY OF WORK
Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor
As we have seen since this past December, good things happen when Noel and Okafor play with an average point guard. There is not enough of a body of work on either player to put them on the open market. With a talent upgrade this summer, both players' value will only increase.
WORTH TALKING ABOUT
Oklahoma City and Miami first-round picks
Both picks are currently projected to be the 20s with the Miami pick holding the best value at No. 21. There is a strong market to move one of these picks, especially because a number of teams are without a first-round pick in June. Factor in a below-average draft, and if the Sixers can bring back an established player in a deal, then they should look into it.
Rest of the Team
Philadelphia is not under the gun to move any of its bench pieces but should listen if something makes sense. Small forward Robert Covington has the most appeal with his contract and play on the court.
MOVE THAT PUSHES THE NEEDLE
Could this be the deadline when Philadelphia acquires talent instead of just assets?
Although no trade pushes Philadelphia to front of the line, a move to obtain a quality starting point guard could be the first step going into the offseason.
NO-TRADE CLAUSE OR WITH A RESTRICTION
Elton Brand
Because Brand was signed in early January, he cannot be traded. League rules state that a player who signs a contract after Sept. 15 cannot be traded for six months.
Ish Smith
Because Ish Smith was acquired from New Orleans on Dec. 24 he is ineligible to be aggregated in any trade. There is a two-month waiting period for players obtained in trades. Smith, however, can be traded alone.
TREASURE CHEST OF PICKS
Aside from the below-mentioned picks, Philadelphia also owns the draft rights to former lottery selection Dario Saric as well as Joel Embiid, who has been sidelined his first two years with an injury.
Philadelphia has its own first-round pick, projected to be in the top three.
The Lakers will send the 76ers a first-round pick, if it falls outside of the top three of the lottery.
For taking on JaVale McGee's money, Philadelphia has Oklahoma City's first-round pick, projected to be in the late 20s. The Thunder had traded this pick to Cleveland in the Dion Waiters deal. Denver obtained it when it traded Timofey Mozgov to the Cavaliers.
As part of facilitating the Kevin Love trade to Cleveland, the 76ers have the Heat's first-round pick, protected Nos. 1-10. Cleveland obtained this pick in the LeBron James trade to Miami in 2010. It is likely that this pick will change hands at the end of the season.
Philadelphia will have swap rights with Sacramento. This would occur only if Chicago does not receive a pick in the 11-30 range from Sacramento.
Although unlikely to happen, Philadelphia will have the right to swap the first-round pick of Miami or Oklahoma City with Golden State. This condition was part of the 76ers trading for Gerald Wallace.
The 76ers will have the Lakers' pick in 2017, protected Nos. 1-3 or unprotected in 2018. This is only if Los Angeles does not convey a pick to Philadelphia in 2016.
The trade conditions between Philadelphia and Sacramento are tied into the trade the Kings made with the Bulls in 2011
If Sacramento owes Chicago a first in 2016:
Philadelphia would then have to swap rights for the 2017 season. The Kings would also owe Philadelphia a 2018 first-round pick, protected Nos. 1-10 and unprotected in 2019 if no pick is conveyed
If Chicago does not receive the Kings first in 2016:
Philadelphia would have the right to swap picks in 2016.
If Sacramento owes Chicago a first in 2017:
Philadelphia would have Sacramento's unprotected first-round pick in 2019.
If Chicago does not receive the Kings' first in 2017:
Philadelphia would have the right to swap picks with the Kings. Philadelphia would also have Sacramento's first in 2018, protected Nos. 1-10 and unprotected in 2019 if no pick is transferred in the previous year.
AVAILABLE TRADE EXCEPTIONS
None.
POST-TRADE DEADLINE ROSTER MOVEMENT
Philadelphia was active last year, claiming Ish Smith, Thomas Robinson and Glenn Robinson III on waivers.
SNEAK PEEK TOWARD JULY
Expect Philadelphia to be one of the most active teams this summer.
Even with12 players under contract and the possibility of four first-round picks, including Saric, the 76ers will have $45 million in cap space. Philadelphia could create more room with six of those players on non-guaranteed contracts.
Besides filling out the bench, finding a high-quality point guard and shooting guard will be big priorities.
INSIDER INFO
If Saric signs with the 76ers this summer, he will operate under the 2016-17 rookie scale. Although Saric was drafted in 2014, league rules state that the date when the contract is signed will trigger what rookie scale the player will operate under.
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