Was trying to identify where the ideal team to target for trading the draft capital and it dawned on me. The Orlando Magic are the perfect trade target for the sixers. They have the guard and small forward/shooting guard target the sixers need. They also should be looking to add picks so they can a great team around Paolo as he improves, and could use expirings to add some vets around Paolo in the meantime.
If you are the sixers, you can target some combination of Franz Wagner/Jonathan Isaac and Cole Anthony/Markelle Fultz.
I’m imagining rolling a lineup out there this year like:
PG: Tyrese Maxey SG: Markelle Fultz SF: Franz Wagner PF: Tobias Harris C: Joel Embiid
Bench: 6. DeAnthony Melton 7. Kelly Oubre 8. Patrick Beverly 9. Paul Reed 10. Jaden Springer Sprinkle in whoever isn’t trade of Morris, Martin, Batum, and Covington
The lineup has a ton of length, scoring and playmaking. It also has a really strong bench, and preferably Marcus Morris would be there to add a bit more scoring to the bench.
No way they’re giving up Franz any time soon, not unless there’s a contract situation where they can’t afford him or he demands out. Him and Paolo are the foundation of their future hopes right now.
As for Fultz, as much as I want the guy to succeed, he still can’t shoot threes. And while he’s come a long way from all the bullshit around him here, he’s not exactly producing amazing basketball down in Orlando. It’d be a great redemption story on paper but otherwise it’s mostly a weird fit now because he can’t stretch the floor and isn’t especially good at his strengths to do much else for us.
Honestly Markelle’s still in his best situation to get minutes and grow because that team is still being patient with all their youngs and keeping their expectations pretty low. Even if the Sixers got him for free, he’s likely behind Melton and Bev, fighting Jaden and House for the bench minutes.