For some NBA teams, the 2023-24 season has not gone as expected. Several factors have either gone their way or gone against them. Either way, this is not what they were anticipating.
Look at the Philadelphia 76ers. When they traded James Harden for assets, they likely expected to take a step backward. They haven’t. The Sixers looked every bit as competitive without Harden until Joel Embiid suffered an unexpected injury.
Don’t cry to Memphis Grizzlies fans. Their season has been defined by unexpected injuries. As a result, they’ve had one of the most disappointing seasons in the league. Could they send Marcus Smart to the Sixers?
NBA Trade Proposal
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: F Robert Covington, G/F Furkan Korkmaz, 2028 First-Round Pick (Top 10 Protected – PHI)
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G Marcus Smart
With that said, injuries derail every NBA season. All front offices can do is try to expect the unexpected. If that sounds difficult, welcome to life in the National Basketball Association.
Some variables will be out of your control. That’s what made Ja Morant’s early season suspension so frustrating. Morant took himself out of the game, and that’s never optimal.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
After all, an injury would take him out of the game shortly after. Morant suffered a season-ending injury shortly after returning from injury. Now, the Grizzlies are stuck with a poor record. Should they respond by trading Smart?
Why The Memphis Grizzlies Do The Deal
We think so. The Grizzlies may feel differently. This team is likely expected to return to their competitive form in 2024-25. If they’d prefer to keep Smart around for next season, that’s understandable.
On the other hand, the Grizzlies should have a lottery pick this summer That was unexpected. In theory, they could use that pick to make a trade for a better player than Smart. Having an additional asset at their disposal would be useful in that trade.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Meanwhile, they’re also clearing their books by adding two expiring contracts here. That will benefit the Grizzlies. This core is about to get expensive. In a lost season, the Grizzlies would do well to flip Smart for an asset and some cap relief. Should the Sixers give all of that up for Smart?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
Embiid is injured. This season isn’t lost for the Sixers. He’s expected to return, and the Sixers will expect to get back to title contention when he does.
With that in mind, the Sixers could make a bigger deal than this one with the assets they landed in the Harden deal. Do they need to make a bigger deal? That’s a different question.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
After all, this team has their first option in Embiid. Tyrese Maxey has emerged as one of the best second options in the NBA. With that hierarchy in mind, adding one of the best defensive guards in basketball may be the most sensible course of action for the Sixers. Who knows how it will work out?
