As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Philadelphia 76ers are making some calculated moves behind the scenes - and veteran center Andre Drummond could be on the way out.
Drummond, now 32, is on a $5 million expiring contract, which makes him a manageable piece for teams seeking frontcourt depth without long-term financial commitment. He’s been a steady presence behind Joel Embiid, stepping into the starting lineup when needed and delivering his usual brand of physical, glass-cleaning basketball. But with second-year big man Adem Bona emerging as a legitimate contributor, the Sixers may feel they have enough depth to explore moving Drummond.
Drummond has played in 35 games this season, starting 16 of them and averaging 20 minutes per contest. While he’s no longer the nightly double-double machine he was in his prime, he’s still pulling down 9.0 rebounds a night to go along with 7.1 points, shooting just under 50% from the field.
That kind of production in limited minutes still carries value, especially for playoff-bound teams looking to bolster their second unit. The Knicks have reportedly shown interest in Drummond in the past, but their current hard cap situation would require some maneuvering to make a deal work.
Zooming out, the Sixers’ overall trade posture appears flexible rather than aggressive. There’s no glaring hole on the roster, and when healthy, this team has looked like a real threat in the East.
Financially, they’re about $7 million over the tax line and just $1 million shy of the first apron. In the past, Philadelphia has made moves to duck the tax, but this season’s ambitions might shift that approach.
If the front office believes this team has a real shot at making a run, they may be more willing to absorb the tax hit than in years past.
Another name to watch is veteran guard Eric Gordon. The 37-year-old is on a $3.63 million expiring deal but has only suited up for six games this season and hasn’t played since December 23.
After declining a $3.47 million player option in July, Gordon signed a new deal, but he only counts $2.3 million against the cap - a detail that could make him more attractive in trade talks. Teams like the Nets or Jazz, both of whom have cap space, could potentially take him on if the Sixers attach a sweetener to the deal.
Still, Gordon’s value to Philadelphia isn’t strictly on the court. He’s taken on a mentorship role with rookie standout VJ Edgecombe, and that leadership has weight in a locker room with championship aspirations. Moving Gordon would be more about financial flexibility and roster efficiency than on-court production at this point.
Two more names floating around in trade chatter: Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes. Both are on expiring deals - Oubre at $8.3 million, Grimes at $8.7 million - but Grimes holds an implicit no-trade clause, meaning he has the right to veto any deal. League sources are keeping an eye on whether Philly might be open to moving Oubre, who’s had flashes of strong two-way play this season.
And then there’s Jared McCain. The second-year guard was off to a promising start before an injury cut his rookie campaign short after 23 games.
He’s since fallen out of the rotation and was recently sent to the G League, but the Sixers may not be ready to give up on him just yet. With Grimes potentially hitting free agency this summer, McCain could offer insurance - a young, cost-controlled guard with upside and familiarity with the system.
Bottom line: the Sixers aren’t in fire-sale mode, but they’re not standing pat either. With a few expiring contracts, some intriguing young talent, and a roster that’s proven it can compete when healthy, Philadelphia is positioned to be one of the more interesting teams to watch as the deadline approaches. Whether they make a big splash or just a few strategic tweaks, the moves they make (or don’t make) could have ripple effects deep into the postseason.