The Philadelphia 76ers need to ignore the idea of changing up their Big Three but instead shake up the core around them at the trade deadline.
Philadelphia has a plethora of forwards under contract, meaning players in that group are the most likely to see a change of scenery. KJ Martin, Kelly Oubre Jr., Caleb Martin, and Ricky Council could all be dealt at February’s deadline.
With rookie phenom Jared McCain out indefinitely, it’s in the Sixers’ best interest to acquire a reliable guard. Fadeaway World proposed a trade that would land Philadelphia with one of the most consistent backcourt players in the league from the Indiana Pacers.
76ers Receive: Bennedict Mathurin
Pacers Receive: Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Council IV, 2026 First-Round Pick (via OKC), 2027 Second-Round Pick, 2031 Second-Round Pick (via Mavericks)
Mathurin had All-Star aspirations following a handful of standout performances in his rookie season. While that dream never came to fruition, the 22-year-old is an incredibly reliable piece of Indiana’s rotation. He is averaging 16.6 points and 6.2 rebounds on 45.5% shooting and 35.5% from three-point range through 30 appearances this season.
The 76ers should accept this deal in an instant, but Indiana should be much more hesitant about parting with him for this return. Oubre and Council can provide solid minutes off the bench (or in the starting lineup in Oubre’s case), but neither has the potential of Mathurin. The draft capital sweetens the return, but a Thunder first-round pick is practically a second.
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