With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, the Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in an intriguing position - not just as buyers, but as a team that might be holding the most valuable trade chip in the league. While Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name has surfaced in blockbuster trade chatter, the Sixers are being floated as a potential landing spot - and they might just have the best offer on the table if things escalate.
At the heart of it all is rookie VJ Edgecombe, the No. 3 overall pick who’s been turning heads since the start of the season. His name was briefly linked to a potential Antetokounmpo deal, but those rumors were quickly shut down. And for good reason - Edgecombe isn’t just a promising young piece, he’s a player who looks like he could be a cornerstone in Philly for years to come.
Still, the NBA is a star-driven league, and Sixers president Daryl Morey has never been shy about swinging big. According to league insiders, if the right opportunity presents itself, Edgecombe’s inclusion could tip the scales in a deal for Giannis.
The idea? Pair Antetokounmpo with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, forming a trio that could rival any in the Eastern Conference - and potentially carry Philly to its first conference finals appearance since 2001.
That’s the kind of upside that can make even the most promising rookie feel like a trade chip worth considering.
“The 76ers might well decline to discuss Edgecombe in any trade package,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted, citing the explosive start to Edgecombe’s career. “They could opt to build around Edgecombe and Maxey as a long-term backcourt partnership.” But Marks also pointed out that Morey’s track record leans toward chasing stars, and the chance to land Giannis might be too tempting to pass up.
A potential deal being floated includes Edgecombe, Paul George, and two future first-round picks - one in 2028 and another in 2030. That package would not only bring Antetokounmpo to Philly, but it would also drop the Sixers below the luxury tax threshold and open up a roster spot.
There’s another wrinkle too: George is currently serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, but he’s still eligible to be traded. That suspension could actually work in Philly’s favor, softening the blow for Milwaukee and giving them flexibility to reset.
From Milwaukee’s perspective, the math is pretty straightforward. Edgecombe and one first-rounder cover the cost of acquiring Giannis.
The second pick? That’s essentially the price of absorbing the two years and $110.7 million left on George’s deal after this season.
And if the Bucks are leaning into a rebuild, George’s suspension - and the potential for more losses - might not be a bug, but a feature.
Still, this is a high-stakes game, and the Sixers know it. Edgecombe isn’t just a rookie with upside - he’s already shown flashes of being a game-changer. According to Sixers insider Kyle Neubeck, the organization sees him as part of the foundation.
“Spoke to a league source this morning who completely shot down the idea that the Sixers would trade VJ Edgecombe in any move, including in speculative deals people are talking about for Giannis,” Neubeck reported. “Should go without saying, but he’s part of the foundation in Philly.”
And that’s what makes this so compelling. On one hand, you’ve got the allure of adding a generational talent like Antetokounmpo to a core that already includes Embiid and Maxey. On the other, there’s the long-term vision - a young, dynamic backcourt of Maxey and Edgecombe, growing together and carrying the franchise into the next era.
It’s the kind of decision that defines front offices. Go all-in now and chase a title? Or stick with the young core and play the long game?
The clock’s ticking. The deadline is coming. And in Philly, all eyes are on what Daryl Morey decides to do next.