The Philadelphia 76ers are waiting for Joel Embiid to be healthy – and hoping he stays that way. Unless they make this bold blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis. Can they pull this off? Do they have to?
Exciting things are happening in Philadelphia this season. VJ Edgecombe is a live-wire and can deliver exceptional performances as a rookie. Quentin Grimes looks as good as he did last season in a winning environment. The likes of Jabari Walker, Trenton Watford and Dom Barlow are legitimate rotation players. Tyrese Maxey is on his way to becoming an All-NBA player and could even lead the league in scoring.
Still, the veteran duo of Joel Embiid and Paul George remains an anchor to the positive side of this team. George recently made his season debut and fared well, but he’s far from the maximally worthy two-way All-Star he should have been. And Joel Embiid started the season healthy but has been on the shelf, and he has been a defensive liability when he has played.
The 76ers should consider making bold moves to take advantage of a wide-open Eastern Conference. Embiid’s contract is so long and lucrative that he is trade kryptonite, but perhaps a deal can be found for Paul George, who has two seasons left after this season. That contract is a problem, but the right balance of resources could convince a team in the right position to sign him.
The 76ers don’t need more guards; what they need is a frontcourt player who can elevate their interior defense and perhaps have the ability to play alongside Joel Embiid at times if the former MVP can get back on the court.
Could Anthony Davis be the answer?
Building an Anthony Davis trade
The Dallas Mavericks need to focus on building around Cooper Flagg, a reality that the rest of the NBA world knew the moment they won the Draft Lottery but that the Mavericks are only now coming to grips with. That almost certainly means trading Anthony Davis.
Davis fits the mold of a big man who would transform their home defense; When healthy (more on that in a moment), he’s one of the league’s very best defensive players, with the size and strength to shield the rim and the mobility to impact opponents anywhere on the court. He also has a lot of experience playing both the 4 and 5, so he could be the starter in Embiid’s absence and then get a few minutes alongside him in huge lineups.
However, the Mavericks aren’t looking to rebuild long-term, so they aren’t the answer to taking back Paul George’s contract. That requires a third team – and such a team may have just entered the chat. The Charlotte Hornets appear to be open to LaMelo Ball, a former All-Star who is young enough to fit Cooper Flagg’s timeline.
Building a trade would therefore require sending Ball and some salary filler to the Mavericks, Anthony Davis to the 76ers and Paul George to the Hornets, accompanied by enough assets to pay them for taking on George’s contract. Instead of piling on smaller assets, Philadelphia would be best served by absorbing some of the best.
Here’s what such a deal would look like:
The Mavericks are moving on from Davis – for another oft-injured star, but at least one who will join Flagg and Dereck Lively II on the court and match their age horizon. The Hornets get a young guard to add to their core in Jared McCain and a premium first-round pick from the Los Angeles Clippers in 2028, and in return they commit to paying George’s salary for the next three seasons.
Is this a trade the 76ers should pull the trigger on?
Rate the trade: 76ers should make this trade
This is a huge swing for the 76ers. Anthony Davis is a two-way superstar when he’s on the field, but he’s not on the field often. His injury history is extensive; rarely major injuries, but often minor injuries. Do the 76ers really want to add another injury-prone player?
It’s a risk, but the benefit is enormous. Anthony Davis on the backline behind Tyrese Maxey and Quentin Grimes is a dynamic duo, and Davis and Embiid could also co-exist during certain parts of the game. Davis would give the 76ers a chance to contain players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Evan Mobley and Jalen Duren.
Is this too much to pay? Obviously paying for Davis alone would be too much, but canceling George’s contract is also huge. With Maxey, Grimes and Edgecombe, there is less room for Jared McCain, so it is more reasonable to include him in the deal. There’s a big upside to that Clippers pick, but this Philly team is ready to make a move now — and Davis can help them now.
Is it crazy? Probably. Will it work? Maybe not. Still, there’s a chance everything could come together and the 76ers could compete for the Eastern Conference title this season, and that’s a tantalizing dream that’s hard to refuse.
Grade: B+
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