The Philadelphia 76ers are having the kind of season that turns heads and raises expectations. Joel Embiid has looked more like his MVP self again, Paul George is rediscovering his offensive rhythm, and Tyrese Maxey continues his rise from promising guard to full-blown star.
It’s a trio that’s given Philly fans plenty to cheer about. But as good as things have looked on the surface, there’s still one area where the Sixers could use a boost: defense.
Enter Tari Eason-well, almost.
The Houston Rockets’ versatile forward has been the subject of trade chatter in recent weeks, and for good reason. Eason’s game is tailor-made for a team like the Sixers: high-energy, defense-first, and capable of impacting both ends of the floor.
But according to Marc Stein, any hopes of a midseason move are off the table. Houston has reportedly shut the door on any Eason trade talks ahead of the February 4 deadline.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for teams like Philadelphia who could use a player of Eason’s profile. While the Sixers haven’t been directly linked to him in any serious way, the fit is obvious. Eason would give this roster a much-needed jolt of defensive grit and positional flexibility-two things that become even more valuable in the postseason.
Let’s be clear: the Sixers are in a strong position right now. Whether it’s through the Play-In or a top-six seed, they’re tracking toward the playoffs.
Embiid is anchoring the offense with his usual dominance, and Maxey’s explosive scoring has added a new dimension. But if Philly is going to make a serious run, they’ll need to protect their most valuable asset-Embiid’s health.
That’s where players like Dominick Barlow and Kelly Oubre Jr. have already started to make a difference. Both have helped absorb some of the defensive workload, allowing Embiid to focus more on what he does best: putting points on the board.
It’s a smart approach, especially with Embiid’s injury history. The less wear and tear on his body, the better the Sixers’ chances come spring.
Eason would have fit right into that strategy. He brings relentless energy, plays with an edge, and has a knack for making things happen defensively.
Whether it’s crashing the boards, jumping passing lanes, or locking up wings on the perimeter, Eason checks a lot of boxes. And in transition?
He’s a blur. That kind of speed and anticipation would’ve been a natural complement to Philly’s fast-paced attack, especially with Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe pushing the tempo.
Even as a rotational piece in Houston, Eason has been productive. In 24 games this season, he’s averaging 12 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
That’s not just filler production-that’s impact. It’s the kind of stat line that suggests he’s ready for a bigger role, especially on a team with championship aspirations.
Unfortunately for Philadelphia, that opportunity won’t be coming this season. Houston appears committed to keeping Eason as part of their own climb up the Western Conference standings. And with the Rockets eyeing a playoff push of their own, it makes sense they’d want to hold onto a player who brings so much to the table on both ends.
So for now, the Sixers will have to continue building from within. They’ve got the star power.
They’ve got the offensive firepower. And with Embiid healthy and Maxey ascending, there’s real potential here.
But make no mistake-adding a player like Tari Eason could’ve been the kind of move that takes a good team and makes it great.
For now, that’s a what-if. But in a season where the margins between contenders and pretenders are razor-thin, it’s the kind of what-if that could linger.