Sam Dekker (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers could consider upgrading at the small forward position, and Houston Rockets forward Sam Dekker could be one of the potential trade targets for Philly.
Despite losing Ben Simmons to a foot injury, the 76ers are still poised to enter the season with a better overall roster than what they had last season. Fans will finally get to witness Joel Embiid and Dario Saric making their NBA debut, and their summer additions of Gerald Henderson and Jerryd Bayless should also help the team win more games.
However, according to John Smallwood of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the 76ers should still consider upgrading their roster, particularly at the small forward position. One of the players included in Smallwood's list is Houston Rockets forward Sam Dekker.
Dekker failed to make a strong impression for the Rockets last season after suffering a back injury. But in four preseason games this year, the 22-year-old from Wisconsin averaged 10.5 points, while shooting 56.2 percent from the field.
Dekker would be a solid backup at the small forward position, giving the 76ers the much-needed shooters to space the floor. The 6-foot-9 forward can also run the fastbreak well and finish at the rim, something Philadelphia may need after Simmons' injury.
Trading for Dekker would not be too difficult for the 76ers, but any potential deal would likely cost them one of their big men. With the Rockets lacking a defensive big man to protect the rim, Nerlens Noel would certainly come in play if ever a deal between both teams materializes.
Noel would be a perfect acquisition for the Rockets, providing the team a defensive anchor who can fill the void left by Dwight Howard. Noel, who averaged 11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a game last season, could also fit under Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced offense duo this athleticism and ability to finish at the break.
However, a straight swap for Dekker and Noel won't work under the NBA salary guidelines. But including KJ McDaniels in the proposed deal, which works on ESPN's trade machine, should sweeten up the package for the 76ers.
Adding Dekker and McDaniels could keep the 76ers' roster balanced, but it is unclear whether they would explore such deal at the expense of Noel.
Video courtesy: YouTube/FreeDawkins
