With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Philadelphia 76ers are sitting tight-for now. But if there’s one thing that feels increasingly clear, it’s that this roster could use a boost, especially from beyond the arc.
The Sixers have a talented core, no doubt, but their three-point shooting continues to lag behind the league’s top contenders. That’s not a new issue-it’s been a lingering concern dating back to last season-and if they’re serious about making a deep playoff run, it’s a hole they can’t afford to ignore much longer.
One potential fix just slipped through their fingers.
The Portland Trail Blazers quietly made a savvy move, acquiring Vit Krejci from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Duop Reath and a couple of second-round picks. It’s the kind of under-the-radar deal that doesn’t make headlines but could pay real dividends. Krejci isn’t a household name, but he’s quietly putting together a career year in Atlanta, and more importantly, he checks several boxes the Sixers should be looking to fill.
Let’s break it down.
Krejci is averaging just over nine points per game this season, but the real value lies in his efficiency from deep. He’s connecting on 42.3% of his three-point attempts, knocking down 2.2 triples per game.
That’s elite shooting, especially when you factor in how he gets those looks. Krejci isn’t just a standstill shooter-he’s a movement guy.
He relocates well, finds open space, and makes himself available off the ball. That kind of floor-spacing and off-ball activity is invaluable for a team like Philly, where spacing can often get tight around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
And then there’s the size.
At 6-foot-8, Krejci brings rare length for a guard. That kind of positional size not only helps defensively but also gives a team more lineup flexibility. For a Sixers team that has struggled to find consistent production from its role players, adding a tall, high-IQ shooter like Krejci could have been a low-cost, high-upside move.
Instead, it’s Portland who gets the benefit-and they didn’t exactly break the bank to do it. A couple of second-round picks and a depth piece is a small price to pay for a player who could realistically contribute in a playoff rotation. That’s what makes this feel like a missed opportunity for Philly.
Of course, the deadline hasn’t passed yet, and there’s still time for Daryl Morey and the front office to make a move. The Sixers don’t need a blockbuster-though they wouldn’t turn one down-but they do need to find value.
A shooter, a wing, someone who can stretch the floor and hold their own defensively. Krejci would have fit that mold, and the fact that he was available for a modest return only adds to the urgency.
If the Sixers want to keep pace in a crowded Eastern Conference, they’ll need to get creative-and aggressive. The blueprint is there. Now it’s about execution.