The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the most confusing teams in the NBA. Despite having talented players such as Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Al Horford and Josh Richardson leading the way, the Sixers were only in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings before the 2019-20 season was suspended in March.
Most pundits believe the Sixers are going to trade either Simmons or Embiid this offseason if the team doesn't go on a deep playoff run at Walt Disney World during the “bubble” games. However, it would be a colossal mistake to trade the two All-Stars since they are both still very young and have years left of being superstar players in the NBA.
Instead of parting ways with Simmons or Embiid, Sixers general manager Elton Brand should instead look to acquire more talent around his two franchise cornerstones, particularly players who can shoot the ball from deep and space the floor.
With that said, let's take a look at three players Brand can try and trade for whenever the 2020 offseason period begins.
1. Kyle Lowry
Since he's from Philadelphia, Kyle Lowry has always been linked to the Sixers. It just so happens that this summer is the perfect opportunity for the 76ers to bring the All-Star point guard home since the Toronto Raptors are most likely going to lock up Fred VanVleet on a long term deal and Lowry has one year left on his contract.
Before games were suspended in March, Lowry was averaging 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists for the Raptors in 52 games. Pairing him in the backcourt with Simmons would make the Sixers that much deadlier on offense since they would have two elite playmakers organizing the offense.
Moreover, Lowry is a career 36.6 percent shooter from beyond the arc. When Embiid is getting double-teamed in the post or Simmons is collapsing the paint on his drives to the basket, Lowry will be there sitting at the 3-point line.
2. CJ McCollum
Adding CJ McCollum to the Sixers would clearly make Philly even more lethal on offense. However, it remains to be seen if the Portland Trail Blazers are interested in moving him, although things could change if the Blazers miss the 2020 playoffs once the “bubble” games begin.
Philly had an interest in acquiring McCollum back in January. He's one of the best scorers in the league, as McCollum has career averages of 18.4 points per game and was putting up 22.5 points in 2019-20 before Rudy Gobert's positive COVID-19 test.
The Sixers ranked 19th in the NBA in 3-pointers made with 742 before the season was suspended. That’s too low of a number for a team with three explosive scorers such as Embiid, Simmons and Harris. McCollum would certainly help Philly in its 3-point shooting.
3. Bradley Beal
With no shooters to kick it out to, Embiid isn’t able to dominate in the paint for the Sixers since he’s getting doubled team at every turn and there’s no space for him to operate. It also doesn't help that Simmons has no resemblance of a jump shot yet.
The Sixers clearly missed JJ Redick, who joined the New Orleans Pelicans last summer. Philadelphia has to move on from Horford this offseason since there’s zero floor spacing on the court when Embiid, Simmons and Horford are playing together.
Bradley Beal will be the center of multiple trade rumors this summer since he's one of the best players in the NBA and the Washington Wizards aren't expected to shock the world and reach the 2020 playoffs once the “bubble” games start. The Sixers should see what it would take to get Beal.
Brand should offer the house, which means everyone on the roster is available for Beal EXCEPT for Embiid and Simmons.
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