The trade deadline is a little over a week away and there’s plenty of buzz already.
On Tuesday, we took a look at perimeter players that could possibly help the Sixers (see story).
Now, we take a look at a few big men that may be on the block that the team could target ahead of Feb. 7.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Nikola Mirotic
With Anthony Davis requesting a trade, it may behoove the Pelicans to start selling — a process they may already be trying to start. Mirotic has been banged up this year, but when he’s played, he’s been very good. He’s averaging 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds a game. He’s also shooting threes at a 37 percent clip.
His $12.5-million cap hit could be an impediment in a trade, but he’s an intriguing option to play alongside Joel Embiid. Starting Mirotic at the four would move Wilson Chandler to the bench, but would allow the veteran to spend more time on the wing. Mirotic could also play some small-ball five.
Noah Vonleh
The Sixers reportedly had interest in Vonleh, but those reports were also shot down. A lottery pick in 2014, Vonleh hasn’t lived up to that status, but he’s made himself into a decent, modern NBA five. He’s shooting 37 percent from three and averaging 8.6 rebounds a game.
He’s dirt cheap, but with how Jonah Bolden has played as the backup five, there’s no need to overpay for Vonleh in a trade. He’s an upgrade, but not enough of one to give up too much.
NBA
Dewayne Dedmon
Dedmon, a former “process” Sixer, has added the three to his game, hitting 37 percent this season. Dedmon does a lot of the little things you want from a backup center well. He’s a good screener and roller but doesn’t offer much in terms of rim protection.
With the Hawks winning far too many games, Dedmon will likely be moved. Again, Dedmon would be an upgrade, but no need to overspend.
Thon Maker
Maker is only mentioned here because he’s on the market and people have asked if the Sixers would be interested. I just don’t see a fit at all. Maker wants out of Milwaukee to get more minutes. They’ll be tough to come by on a playoff team with an All-Star center. He’s more likely to wind up on a team that can give him minutes and try to tap into his potential.
Buyout candidates
Robin Lopez
What’s killed Lopez’s value is his inability to hit threes as teams have moved away from lumbering big men. What makes him a legitimate NBA commodity at this point in his career is his ability to play tough on-ball defense and hit the offensive glass.
His $14-million hit will likely prove difficult to move without attaching it to another player in a trade. If he’s bought out, you could possibly bring him in for matchup purposes as a banger off your bench.
Enes Kanter
Similar to Lopez, Kanter’s style of play is just not conducive to the modern NBA. With that said, he possesses more offensive skill and is a better overall rebounder than Lopez.
It’s hard to envision a scenario in which Kanter isn’t bought out with his huge cap number (over $18 million) and the Knicks’ clear motivation to tank. He’d be a solid backup for Embiid, but another contender — someone like Charlotte — could likely offer him more minutes.
Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.