Not too much has shifted in the NBA standings since my last edition of this column, but I had to write it on Monday this week since this week is incredibly important to not just the 76ers, but for the rest of the NBA as well. This Thursday, February 20th at 3pm, the trade deadline will be reached and teams can no longer trade players back and forth, unless they claim a player off of waivers, but that happens more often in baseball than it does in basketball. Every year at this time, rumors circulate around every clubhouse, as teams either look to get as much value as they can for an expiring or unnecessary player, or look to add one more piece and fortify their team for a playoff run. Obviously, the 76ers fall in that first category, as their current championship odds are 9999/1, and they have a few intriguing trade pieces, tons of cap room, and the motive to either accumulate some draft picks or younger talent. From what I have gathered, here are the three biggest potential moves for players on the 76ers' hot seat.
Evan Turner: 76ers trade Turner to the Charlotte Bobcats for Ben Gordon (last season, $13 million) and a first round draft pick (likely the pick Portland owes to Charlotte, which will be towards the end of the first round)
This could definitely be beneficial for the 76ers to make this move. Not only is Evan Turner on his last year of his affordable contract, but he unlikely to resign with Philadelphia. Shopping him is the right move and trading him to Charlotte is the best way t get a first round pick. Ben Gordon will probably not be on the squad next season anyway, but is included to give the Bobcats another asset in the form of cap space.
Spencer Hawes: 76ers trade Spencer Hawes to the Dallas Mavericks for Shawn Marion and Ricky Ledo.
This move is less likely, since Philadelphia prefers to acquire another first round pick if they were to trade Hawes, but he will also be unlikely to sign after he becomes a free agent after this season. Shawn Marion has an expensive contract, but that expires after this season and Ricky Ledo is a raw, talented young player whom Philly can groom into a valuable role player down the road.
Thaddeus Young: I honestly don't think that Young will be traded, but on the off chance that he becomes available, Golden State, San Antonio, Phoenix and many other suitors will come calling for the versatile forward.
Of course, these are just rumors that are just as likely not to happen, but these are some of the more predictable scenarios for the 76ers and their movable pieces.
Without further ado, here are the Week 17 Reverse Power Rankings:
The Contenders:
30) Oklahoma City (43-12)
29) Indiana Pacers (40-12)
28) Miami Heat (37-14)
27) San Antonio Spurs (38-15)
26) Houston Rockets (36-17)
25) Portland Trailblazers (36-17)
24) Los Angeles Clippers (37-18)
In The Playoff Hunt Out West:
23) Dallas Mavericks (32-22)
22) Phoenix Suns (30-21)
21) Golden State Warriors (31-22)
20) Memphis Grizzlies (29-23)
Emerging Playoff Teams In The East:
19) Toronto Raptors (28-24)
18) Chicago Bulls (27-25)
17) Atlanta Hawks (25-26)
16) Washington Wizards (25-27)
Need To Make A Move At The Deadline:
15) Minnesota Timberwolves (25-28)
14) Brooklyn Nets (24-27)
13) Denver Nuggets (24-27)
12) New Orleans Pelicans (23-29)
11) Charlotte Bobcats (23-30)
Wishing It Was Still The All-Star Break:
10) Detroit Pistons (22-30)
9) New York Knicks (20-32)
8) Cleveland Cavaliers (20-33)
Tankapalooza Contenders:
7) Utah Jazz (19-33)
6) Boston Celtics (19-35)
5) Los Angeles Lakers (18-35)
4) Sacramento Kings (18-35)
3) Orlando Magic (16-38)
2) Philadelphia 76ers (15-39)
1) Milwaukee Bucks (9-43)
By: Dan Goggin
This could definitely be beneficial for the 76ers to make this move. Not only is Evan Turner on his last year of his affordable contract, but he unlikely to resign with Philadelphia. Shopping him is the right move and trading him to Charlotte is the best way t get a first round pick. Ben Gordon will probably not be on the squad next season anyway, but is included to give the Bobcats another asset in the form of cap space.
Spencer Hawes: 76ers trade Spencer Hawes to the Dallas Mavericks for Shawn Marion and Ricky Ledo.
This move is less likely, since Philadelphia prefers to acquire another first round pick if they were to trade Hawes, but he will also be unlikely to sign after he becomes a free agent after this season. Shawn Marion has an expensive contract, but that expires after this season and Ricky Ledo is a raw, talented young player whom Philly can groom into a valuable role player down the road.
Thaddeus Young: I honestly don't think that Young will be traded, but on the off chance that he becomes available, Golden State, San Antonio, Phoenix and many other suitors will come calling for the versatile forward.
Of course, these are just rumors that are just as likely not to happen, but these are some of the more predictable scenarios for the 76ers and their movable pieces.
Without further ado, here are the Week 17 Reverse Power Rankings:
The Contenders:
30) Oklahoma City (43-12)
29) Indiana Pacers (40-12)
28) Miami Heat (37-14)
27) San Antonio Spurs (38-15)
26) Houston Rockets (36-17)
25) Portland Trailblazers (36-17)
24) Los Angeles Clippers (37-18)
In The Playoff Hunt Out West:
23) Dallas Mavericks (32-22)
22) Phoenix Suns (30-21)
21) Golden State Warriors (31-22)
20) Memphis Grizzlies (29-23)
Emerging Playoff Teams In The East:
19) Toronto Raptors (28-24)
18) Chicago Bulls (27-25)
17) Atlanta Hawks (25-26)
16) Washington Wizards (25-27)
Need To Make A Move At The Deadline:
15) Minnesota Timberwolves (25-28)
14) Brooklyn Nets (24-27)
13) Denver Nuggets (24-27)
12) New Orleans Pelicans (23-29)
11) Charlotte Bobcats (23-30)
Wishing It Was Still The All-Star Break:
10) Detroit Pistons (22-30)
9) New York Knicks (20-32)
8) Cleveland Cavaliers (20-33)
Tankapalooza Contenders:
7) Utah Jazz (19-33)
6) Boston Celtics (19-35)
5) Los Angeles Lakers (18-35)
4) Sacramento Kings (18-35)
3) Orlando Magic (16-38)
2) Philadelphia 76ers (15-39)
1) Milwaukee Bucks (9-43)
By: Dan Goggin
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