The Philadelphia 76ers have never been shy about chasing star power, and under Daryl Morey’s watch, that tendency has only grown stronger. So when a name like D’Angelo Russell hits the buyout market, it’s hard not to connect the dots. While Russell may not be the headline-grabber he once was, he checks a box the Sixers desperately need filled: a capable, experienced guard off the bench.
Let’s be clear-this isn’t the D’Lo of his All-Star days in Brooklyn. His stock has dipped, and his journey through the league has been anything but smooth.
But that doesn’t mean he’s out of gas. After being dealt to the Washington Wizards in the stunning Anthony Davis trade, Russell won’t be suiting up for D.C.
The team and player have already agreed to part ways, paving the road for a buyout and a fresh start elsewhere.
Enter Philadelphia.
The Sixers are short on backcourt depth after moving Jared McCain at the deadline. That trade left a noticeable void in their second unit, especially in terms of playmaking.
Nick Nurse has had to get creative, plugging in Quentin Grimes and even Trendon Watford as pseudo-point guards-roles that don’t exactly play to their strengths. The result?
A bench unit that’s been inconsistent and, at times, disjointed.
Adding a true point guard-even one with some blemishes-could go a long way in stabilizing that group. That’s where Russell becomes a real consideration.
He’s more of a combo guard than a traditional floor general, but he’s shown he can run an offense when needed. He’s got a solid handle, a good feel for the pick-and-roll, and enough shooting gravity to keep defenses honest.
No, he’s not going to orchestrate the offense like Chris Paul. But Russell has a knack for leveraging his scoring threat to create for others-whether it’s hitting shooters in the corners or slipping pocket passes to rolling bigs. That kind of secondary playmaking could be a valuable addition for a team with championship aspirations and a bench that needs structure.
At this stage in the season, the Sixers don’t have the luxury of waiting for the perfect fit. The buyout market is rarely full of game-changers, but it’s about finding the right piece for the right role. And in a limited, clearly defined role off the bench, D’Angelo Russell could be that piece.
He’s played in big games. He’s been in playoff environments.
He knows what it means to be part of a winning rotation. And while he’s not the same player he once was, he still brings enough skill and savvy to make a difference-especially for a team that needs a jolt of creativity in its second unit.
For a Sixers squad looking to stay afloat while Joel Embiid recovers and hoping to make a deep postseason run, this could be the kind of low-risk, high-reward move that pays off in the margins. And come playoff time, it’s often those margins that decide who’s still standing.