When it comes to the biggest stars on the NBA’s trade market, the Philadelphia 76ers are typically linked as suitors. With Daryl Morey establishing himself as an aggressive participant in the trade market throughout his decade-plus career, anytime he does his due diligence on a player, the Sixers are viewed as threats to land a big fish on the market.

However, it seems there’s been a different approach to the trade market throughout the 2023-2024 NBA season. After the Sixers traded away James Harden to land a handful of role players and draft capital, the popular assumption was that the Sixers would flip some of those pieces for a star-caliber player.

But as the Sixers find success with their current group, with a lot of thanks to Joel Embiid’s continued dominance and Tyrese Maxey’s All-Star emergence, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Sixers might not bank on trading for an All-Star caliber prospect.

Earlier this week, The Athletic’s Shams Charania expressed doubt about the Sixers’ interest in some of the most prominent names on the trade block. The Chicago Bulls are fielding offers for Zach LaVine, while the Atlanta Hawks are considering closing the book on the Dejounte Murray chapter early after trading for him two years ago.

And while the Toronto Raptors already moved Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers this week, eliminating Philly’s chances of landing him as early as this season, Charania had expressed doubt in the Sixers’ interest in Nick Nurse’s former forward before the trade took place.

Are the Sixers Taking the Right Approach?

Daryl Morey admitted earlier this season that the significant surge in Maxey’s play surely changed their perspective on the trade market. With Maxey developing into one of the NBA’s most notable backcourt stars, it only makes sense to build around the growing star duo of Maxey and Embiid with complementary pieces rather than trying to plug and play with another star.

Through the first half of the 2023-2024 season, the Sixers have achieved a 26-13 record, which places them third in the conference. They don’t need to hit a panic button and acquire a notable name to come in and pick up the pieces in hopes of a playoff run.

Instead, the Sixers need to continue building with the star core they have and work on perfecting the chemistry before the postseason arrives.

As much as a LaVine or Murray addition moves the needle from an excitement perspective, the two have just 16 playoff starts combined. Giving up essential assets for players with a lack of playoff experience would be a hard pill to swallow for the Sixers, who are searching for the answers to get past the second round.