Joel Embiid is one of the best players in the NBA. He’s the league’s reigning MVP. As long as that’s true, the Philadelphia 76ers have a chance to win an NBA championship.
They don’t even need to find a co-star for Embiid. They already have one. Tyrese Maxey is one of the most talented guards in the NBA. His emergence in 2023-24 has been a huge win for the Sixers.
After all, they traded James Harden at the beginning of the year. Maxey has taken the mantle as the team’s lead guard. Now, the Sixers are in an interesting position.
They have the assets to trade for a star, but with Embiid, Maxey, and Tobias Harris on the roster, they don’t necessarily need to spend those assets. Could they acquire Jae’Sean Tate of the Houston Rockets instead?
NBA Trade Proposal
Houston Rockets Receive: G/F Furkan Korkmaz, C Mo Bamba
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F Jae’Sean Tate
This would not be a typical trade for Sixers’ GM Daryl Morey. More often than not, he chases stars. Ironically, we learned about his MO when he was managing the Rockets.
When Morey took over for the Rockets, they were on the mediocrity treadmill. The Rockets put a scrappy, competitive team forward on an annual basis, but they never had a chance to win an NBA title. Morey identified James Harden as a star and stole him in a lopsided trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
What did he do next? Continue to chase stars. Morey brought in Dwight Howard. He traded for Chris Paul. Eventually, he’d make a move for Russell Westbrook – a poor fit alongside Harden. Should he resist his impulses and trade for a role player instead?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
The Sixers could justify a wide range of decisions leading up to the deadline. If they want to move all of their assets for a star, we won’t judge them. On the other hand, they could opt against that route as well.
After all, the Sixers are projected to make meaningful cap space this summer. They’ve got some picks to spare as well. The Sixers could see how the rest of this season goes, and go star hunting in the summer if they’re not satisfied with the results.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t make incremental improvements. Here, they’re flipping two role players with inconsistent roles on their team for the best player in the trade. Tate is a multi-positional wing that can provide some secondary playmaking. Should the Rockets help them upgrade?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
The Sixers are title contenders. On the other hand, the Rockets are trying to fight their way into the play-in tournament. That’s fine – the most important players on this team are young.
Still, there are holes in this roster. The Rockets need a movement shooter. Korkmaz fits the bill. Meanwhile, he’s got some chemistry with budding star Alperen Sengun from having played together on the Turkish national team.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Speaking of Sengun – he’s a remarkable talent, but he doesn’t do much to protect the rim. The Rockets could stand to acquire a backup who does. Bamba would be a sensible addition from that point of view. The Sixers may not miss him – after all, their starting big man is the reigning MVP.
