Every general manager in the NBA has their own philosophy. For some, the idea is to craft the most logical roster that they can carefully. Other GMs are more concerned with star chasing. They aim to land the best top-end talent they can and sort the rest out later.
Daryl Morey of the Philadelphia 76ers has always fallen into the latter camp. With that in mind, the last trade that he made must have been painful.
Morey sent James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers. He didn’t receive a star in return. This deal ran contrary to every instinct that Morey has ever shown us – didn’t it?
It’s hard to say. Morey received market value for Harden in terms of assets. In time, he’s expected to move those assets for a star. That’s fair, but it’s worth noting that the 76ers have been rolling. It could be more sensible to simply acquire a role player who would complement Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
How about Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers?
NBA Trade Proposal: Philadelphia 76ers Land Indiana Pacers’ Buddy Hield
Indiana Pacers Receive: F/C Marcus Morris Sr., G/F Furkan Korkmaz, 2024 Second-Round Pick (NYK via PHI)
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Buddy Hield
With that said, the Pacers have taken the latter route. This roster just makes sense. Every player compliments every other player. How did the Pacers do it?
Arguably, it starts with Myles Turner. He’s a skeleton key of a player who compliments everyone. Turner is among the best 3-and-D big men in the NBA. His ability to space the floor and anchor the defense makes him a compliment to anyone.
Meanwhile, the Pacers have some of the best floor spacing in the NBA between him, Tyrese Haliburton, and Hield. This begs the question: why would they move Hield?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Well, he’s on an expiring contract. By all accounts, the Pacers and Hield haven’t agreed on an extension. So, they might as well move him before he leaves next summer in free agency.
Is this an acceptable return for him?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Perhaps things have changed. The Pacers are off to a hot start. They may suddenly see the merit in investing in Hield. On the other hand, he’s an aging specialist. Let’s assume that Indiana’s feelings haven’t changed. If they don’t intend on extending Hield, they should move him.
They won’t get much – Hield is an aging specialist on an expiring contract. Teams won’t give up the farm for a potential rental. With that in mind, this is a fair return.
Korkmaz is a younger, comparable player who the Pacers can keep around as a shooting specialist. Meanwhile, even a second-round pick is better than nothing.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
So is adding Morris. The Pacers seem to be seeking depth at the 4 spot. Morris can provide some toughness and floor spacing for the rest of the year – like Hield, his deal expires this summer.
Should the Sixers part with him?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
The Sixers may want a star. It may be Morey’s instinct to pursue a star. Do they need one? Joel Embiid just won the Most Valuable Player award.
Tyrese Maxey has statistically been one of the best guards in the NBA this season. Tobias Harris is a qualified third man, and the Sixers are deep. Why move all of their assets for one player?
With that said, they could use some movement shooting. Hield is one of the best movement shooters in the NBA. Having him on the perimeter hunting an open look will make it much more difficult for teams seeking to double-team Embiid. This would be a roster upgrade for the Sixers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Best of all, it’s not an especially costly one. The Sixers could make this move and it would improve their title odds. If they fell short of that goal, they’d still have the assets to pursue a star this summer. Philosophically speaking, that’s what Daryl Morey typically does.
