The Philadelphia 76ers are walking a fine line as the trade deadline draws near. They’re not quite dominant enough to go all-in, but they’re also far from bottoming out. That puts President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey in a familiar, yet tricky position - weighing short-term gains against long-term flexibility in a season where the East feels more open than it has in years.
At first glance, Philly’s record won’t blow anyone away. But they’re above .500, and on the right night, they look like a team that could cause real problems come playoff time.
That’s given fans a reason to stay engaged - not just for this season, but for what the future might hold. The Sixers aren’t in a spot where they need to tear things down, but they also can’t justify going all-in unless the right opportunity presents itself.
That leaves Morey with a few decisions to make, especially when it comes to a trio of veterans on expiring deals.
Let’s start with the names most likely to come up in trade talks: Quentin Grimes, Andre Drummond, and Kelly Oubre Jr.
Grimes, at 25, doesn’t quite fit the same mold as Drummond and Oubre, both of whom are in their 30s. But his situation is just as fluid.
Since last offseason, it’s felt like the Sixers and Grimes have been on different timelines. There was never much traction on a long-term deal, and it’s hard to shake the sense that he’s been halfway out the door since the moment he arrived.
Drummond, meanwhile, is the oldest of the group and also the most affordable - which makes him the most likely candidate to be moved. Joel Embiid is showing flashes of his MVP form again, and rookie Adem Bona is logging minutes at a rate that mirrors Drummond’s. Add in the recent 10-day signing of Charles Bassey, and the writing’s on the wall: the Sixers have options at backup center, and Drummond might be the odd man out.
But the most intriguing name in this conversation is Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre isn’t just a trade chip - he’s been a steady presence in Philly over the past three seasons. He’s played meaningful minutes, stayed relatively healthy (outside of a knee injury earlier this year), and delivered consistent production.
In 2023-24, he appeared in 68 games. Last season, he logged 60.
And if he stays on the floor, he could hit the 50-60 game mark again this year. That kind of availability matters, especially when you consider his uptick in efficiency.
Oubre is shooting 38% from deep this season - a major jump from last year’s 29%. That’s not just a hot streak; it’s a real development.
For teams looking to bolster their wing depth, Oubre checks a lot of boxes. He’s played 677 career games, started nearly half of them, and has proven he can contribute whether he’s in the first five or coming off the bench.
He’s averaging around 15 points per game, and with the way he’s shooting, he looks like the kind of veteran scorer who could slot seamlessly into a contender’s rotation. Add in the fact that any team acquiring him would get his Bird rights, and it’s easy to see why his name might be popping up on front office whiteboards around the league.
But here’s the thing: the Sixers might be better off keeping him.
Yes, every player has a price. And if a team comes calling with an offer that blows Morey away, you take it. But Oubre’s value to Philly isn’t just about what he brings on the court - it’s about what he represents for a team trying to thread the needle between competing now and building for the future.
First, there’s the playoff push. Oubre gives the Sixers another reliable option on the wing, which is something they don’t have in abundance.
If they want to avoid the play-in tournament and lock in a top-six seed, they’ll need every bit of depth they can get. Oubre helps with that.
Second, there’s the mentorship factor. Philly has a handful of young players in the rotation - Adem Bona, VJ Edgecombe, Jabari Walker, and Dominick Barlow are all in their early 20s and still learning the ropes.
Oubre’s been around the block. He’s played for five teams in 10 years, seen a variety of systems, coaches, and roles.
That kind of experience is invaluable in a locker room full of developing talent.
And finally, there’s the financial picture. The Sixers are locked in long-term with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George.
But beyond that, the books are pretty clean. That gives them flexibility moving forward - and it also makes it easier to re-sign a guy like Oubre if they choose to.
Compared to Drummond and Grimes, Oubre feels like the player most worth investing in beyond this season.
Grimes could be moved to create more opportunity for Jared McCain, who, despite a rocky 2025-26 campaign, still figures into the team’s future plans. And with Bona already cutting into Drummond’s minutes, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the veteran big moved to a team in need of frontcourt depth.
But Oubre? There’s no one on the roster who can replace what he brings right now. If he’s traded or walks in free agency, Philly could find itself scrambling to fill that void - both on the floor and in the locker room.
Again, if the right offer comes along, you listen. That’s the job.
But Oubre has been a pro’s pro since arriving in Philly. He’s embraced his role, stayed ready, and delivered.
He’s at a point in his career where he can mentor young guys and still be a key piece in a playoff rotation.
The Sixers may not be a finished product, but they’re not far off. And in a wide-open East, keeping a steady hand like Oubre might be just what they need to make a real run this spring.