76ers to Explore Three(3) Low-Risk Trades before the Trade Deadline, Sixers Trade for a Savvy Temporary Embiid Replacement

Here are three low-risk trades the Philadelphia 76ers should consider before the trade deadline.

With Joel Embiid out of commission for the foreseeable future, the Philadelphia 76ers could very well lose their chance to win the chamionship this season. However, the team isn’t shutting him down just yet, and should he manage to return, they should remain a threat no matter their seeding come playoff time.

But to do that, the front office shouldn’t assume a defeatist robe and rest on their laurels. The trade deadline is just a few twitches away, and given the litany of players expected to hit the market, the 76ers should be active on their phones.

Here are three low-risk trades they should consider.

1. 76ers trade for a savvy temporary Embiid replacement

Embiid will never be replaced by anyone, but the 76ers aren’t wide-eyed to that fact. On the interim, they simply need someone who’s battle-tested and can hold down the fort while they await the reigning MVP’s fate and gun for staying power in the playoff picture.

Kelly Olynyk should be an attractive option for Philadelphia. The Utah Jazz have made him available for taking, but he still shouldn’t cost a fortune to acquire. That being said, he is one of the most in-demand big men in the market to the point where the 76ers would have to overpay a tad for his services.

With Olynyk being productive enough while fitting into the 76ers’ edict to avoid chasing players who can hamper their financial flexibility, two second-rounders shouldn’t hurt. He’s a clear upgrade over Paul Reed and Mo Bamba, and while his defense leaves a lot to be desired, he’s heady and physical enough on that end to compensate. And we haven’t even talked about his floor-spacing ability and savvy playmaking out of the post.

2. Three-team trade has 76ers snagging an elite three-point shooter

Embiid has been the best scorer in the association in the present campaign, and his absence leaves a gaping hole for the 76ers to fill. Tyrese Maxey has done an admirable job as the nominal first option, but he can only muster up so much offense on his own.

That being said, the 76ers can’t afford to get too lucrative in the market, needing only to make moves on the margins. For that reason, one player they should have jotted down on their whiteboard is Doug McDermott, who has seen his role wane with the San Antonio Spurs.

McDermott has long been an elite three-point shooter, and this season is no exception with the veteran shooting 44.1 percent from downtown. He’ll give Philly another dimension offensively, as they rank in the bottom-five in three-pointers made per game. He’s also an excellent off-ball player with sneaky bounce, though his defense can be abysmal.

The Spurs should be fine with a salary matcher and a young player like Jaden Springer in return as long as they can recoup some assets for the 76ers’ outgoing filler, such as Robert Covington in this scenario, who goes to Dallas which in turn ships Grant Williams and his contract to San Antonio.

3. 76ers trade for a veteran backup point guard

Another area that Philly should look to address is playmaking. With Tyrese Maxey poised to get even more reps as a shot creator, relieving him of some facilitating duties should be a huge help for the short-term.

One player that could be had for cheap is veteran guard Monté Morris, who has barely suited up for the Pistons this season. Detroit won’t be shooting for the stars as a trade partner for the 28-year-old playmaker, and could very well be glad to get some one-and-done floor spacers they can actually trot out amid their horrific season.

Morris doesn’t offer high-volume playmaking, but he’s a reliable ball handler who doesn’t require the ball in his hands a lot — something that should marry well with Maxey’s volume scoring. Nevertheless, he can organize the team in half-court settings, and better yet, he rarely turns the ball over.

In addition, Morris is a career 38.9 percent three-point shooter, giving the team some much-needed perimeter presence with Patrick Beverley shooting below league average from rainbow country and De’Anthony Melton having missed a lot of games already due to injury.