With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Philadelphia 76ers are officially on the clock. They've already made one move-sending rookie guard Jared McCain to Oklahoma City-but if they want to keep pace in the East, they can’t afford to stop there.
McCain may not have been a game-changer this season, but his departure leaves a noticeable gap in the backcourt rotation. And with time running out, the Sixers would be wise to fill it.
Enter Tyus Jones.
Jones was quietly dealt from Orlando to Charlotte in a move that was more about clearing cap space than reshaping rosters. It didn’t make many headlines, but it should have caught Philadelphia’s attention.
The Hornets, fresh off acquiring Coby White, are suddenly crowded at the point guard spot. That makes Jones a prime candidate to be flipped again-and the Sixers might just be the perfect landing spot.
Let’s be clear: Jones hasn’t exactly lit it up this season. His scoring has dipped, and his stint with the Magic didn’t pan out the way many hoped.
But even in a down year, Jones still brings something that Philly could desperately use-ball security and veteran poise. He’s long been one of the league’s most efficient playmakers, consistently ranking among the best in assist-to-turnover ratio.
That’s not just a stat-it’s a skill, and one that becomes even more valuable in the postseason.
Philadelphia doesn’t lean heavily on a structured offense. With guys like Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, they don’t need to.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for a steady hand to help organize the attack, especially when the second unit hits the floor. Right now, the Sixers are asking players like Quentin Grimes to do a bit more shot creation than they probably should.
Bringing in Jones would allow Grimes to focus on what he does best-scoring-while Jones handles the orchestration.
This wouldn’t be a blockbuster move. It’s not the kind of trade that dominates headlines or shifts championship odds overnight.
But it’s the kind of smart, under-the-radar acquisition that good front offices make when they’re serious about shoring up weaknesses. If the Sixers aren’t planning to swing big at the deadline, making a targeted move for someone like Tyus Jones could be the next best thing.
The fit is there. The need is real.
And the price-given Jones’ current situation-should be manageable. For a team looking to stay in the thick of the Eastern Conference race, this is the kind of move that could make a quiet, but meaningful, difference.