The Philadelphia 76ers made the bold decision to trade Jared McCain for draft capital, but the pick they got from the Oklahoma City Thunder was at least good enough to justify the painful cut. A lot of people didn’t understand the Sixers minds on this issue, but this at least shows that the front office is likely eyeing a big move soon.
That said, before the 76ers get into what they are planning or brewing behind the scenes, they must first address the immediate void left by the second-year guard. And luckily for them, the flurry of movement in the trade market gave them the perfect name to keep an eye on and emulate in the form of Lonzo Ball.
Cleveland just traded the former second overall pick to Utah, but ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that’s the expectation the Jazz will waive him. This could allow Ball to hit the open market in the middle of the season, and the 76ers should immediately be knocking on his door for an unexpected, but purposeful partnership.
The 76ers should sign Lonzo Ball after trading Jared McCain
The 28-year-old playmaker was thrown out because Cleveland had too many mouths to feed in the backcourt, especially after trading for James Harden. The move was understandable considering the Cavs didn’t get the kind of production they were hoping for when they made the move to acquire him, though the reality is he wasn’t on a team that can truly maximize his strengths.
The 76ers are in dire need of playmaking off the bench, and that is certainly something Ball can bring to the table. While he’s not a world-beater as a floor general, he remains a very capable table setter with his pinpoint passing and basketball iQ.
In addition to his skills as a point guard, Philly would also welcome his size and defensive acuity in the backcourt. The 76ers’ guards need someone willing to do the dirty work, and while his injuries have affected him in a big way, his activity at D is still better than most of his peers at the position.
The 76ers could do a lot worse than running back Lonzo Ball, if only for the rest of the season. Their emergency backcourt options are far from inspiring, and with McCain out of the picture, it’s hard to argue against this future move.
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