The Philadelphia 76ers have been one of the more intriguing stories in the Eastern Conference this season. At 22-17, they’ve weathered some early-season uncertainty and are starting to show flashes of what this roster could become when healthy. Yes, they took a tough blowout loss at home to the Cavaliers recently, but the bigger picture still looks promising.
Rookie VJ Edgecombe has been a bright spot-consistently contributing and showing a level of poise that’s rare for a first-year player. He’s not just surviving out there; he’s making an impact. And with Joel Embiid and Paul George seeing more consistent minutes as the season wears on, the Sixers are slowly starting to resemble the team many hoped they’d be.
But with the trade deadline looming, the big question becomes: is Daryl Morey ready to make a move?
According to recent reporting, the Sixers have had some level of trade dialogue with the Memphis Grizzlies dating back to mid-December. While that might raise some eyebrows, especially with the news that Memphis is now open to moving Ja Morant, it’s important to note that Morant was not part of those discussions. The talks were more about "around-the-edges" roster considerations-think depth pieces, not blockbuster names.
What’s interesting here is the potential for Philadelphia to be a third-team facilitator in a larger Memphis deal. If the Grizzlies need help matching salaries or moving pieces around, there’s already a line of communication open with the Sixers. That kind of synergy doesn’t always lead to a trade, but it’s the kind of groundwork that can pay off when things heat up near the deadline.
From Philly’s perspective, there’s a clear need: wing depth. Paul George, while still a high-level contributor, isn’t quite the two-way force he once was.
And Kelly Oubre Jr.-who looked like a key rotation piece early on-has only recently returned from a lengthy injury absence. That’s left the Sixers a bit thin on the perimeter, especially when it comes to defending athletic wings and creating offense outside of Embiid.
So, while the front office isn’t expected to chase a headline-grabbing name, a smart, strategic move to shore up the rotation could go a long way-especially in a crowded East where every edge matters.
Next up, the Sixers will have a chance to regroup and get back on track with a rematch against the Cavaliers at home on Friday night. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET, and you can bet the team will be looking to make a statement after that last meeting.
With the trade deadline approaching and the roster starting to stabilize, the Sixers are entering a crucial stretch. Whether or not a deal gets done, the decisions made in the next few weeks could shape the rest of their season-and maybe even their playoff ceiling.