With the NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching, all eyes are on the Philadelphia 76ers. Historically, Daryl Morey and his front office have shown a knack for making moves when the clock is ticking, often waiting until the final hours to strike. But as we sit just days away from the deadline, there’s a real possibility that Philly bucks the trend-and chooses not to make a move at all.
That might sound counterintuitive for a team in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, but it’s not without logic. The Sixers are operating under some real constraints this season. Between limited trade assets and a roster that’s already contributing at a high level, the case for standing pat is stronger than it might seem on the surface.
Let’s start with the obvious: Philly has several veterans on expiring deals-prime trade bait in most years. These are the kind of contracts teams love to flip for either rotation upgrades or future draft capital.
But here’s the thing: those same veterans are playing meaningful roles for a Sixers team that’s still very much in win-now mode. Trading them just to get something in return could end up doing more harm than good.
Take Quentin Grimes, for example. He’s been a popular name in fan-driven trade proposals, largely because of his recent struggles.
On paper, it makes sense-he’s on an expiring deal, and his production hasn’t quite matched expectations. But the reality is, the market for a player like Grimes isn’t exactly booming.
Teams aren’t lining up to give up real assets for a two-month rental of a player still trying to find his rhythm.
Then there’s Andre Drummond. Rumors have swirled about his availability, but from a basketball standpoint, it’s hard to see the logic.
The Sixers have lacked depth at the center spot all season, and Drummond’s rebounding has been a stabilizing force off the bench. Moving him now-especially when his contract is up at season’s end-would leave a gaping hole in a critical area of need.
For a team with legitimate postseason aspirations, that’s a risky move to make just for the sake of asset management.
And let’s not forget Kelly Oubre Jr. He’s been one of the more consistent two-way contributors on this roster.
His energy, versatility, and scoring punch have made him a key part of the rotation. Trading him now would not only weaken the team’s depth but also send a confusing message about priorities.
The Sixers likely want to keep him around beyond this season, and moving him at the deadline would go against that long-term vision.
So yes, while the Sixers do have players who could fetch something on the open market, the smarter play might be to ride things out. They’re getting solid production at a reasonable cost, and even if those players walk in the summer, the flexibility they’ve maintained still puts them in a strong position moving forward.
Morey and company have never been shy about pulling the trigger on a deal. But this time around, the best move might be no move at all.
For a team chasing a deep playoff run, continuity and chemistry could be more valuable than any marginal upgrade. Standing pat isn’t waving the white flag-it might just be the clearest sign that the Sixers believe in the group they’ve got.