The Philadelphia 76ers have yet to make deals this season, but there are plenty of scenarios the team could explore in hopes of further improving their lineup.
It seems inevitable that the Sixers make a move before the deadline, with the team having a glaring need to add a reliable point guard. But while Philadelphia has plenty of tradable assets at their disposal, there are only few realistic trade scenarios for 76ers.
Brian Jacobs of Sports Illustrated's Fansided explored a list of deals the 76ers could consider before the deadline. Among the scenarios included in the proposed deals are Nerlens Noel to the Boston Celtics and Robert Covington to the Memphis Grizzlies.
NBA analysts believe Noel is likely to get traded before the deadline, considering the 22-year-old center's impending free agency and the 76ers yet to address their crowded frontcourt. With several teams in demand of a defensive big man, Noel has found himself linked to several teams, including the Celtics, who are looking for another big man to solve their rebounding woes.
In the explored trade scenario, the 76ers would send Noel to Boston for Marcus Smart and a 2019 future first-rounder, solving Philadelphia's need of a playmaker. Smart has been effective playing backup PG for the Celtics, but could earn a starting role in Philly.
The other possible trade explored in Jacobs' report is Robert Covington to the Grizzlies for rookie guard Wade Baldwin IV, which is another move to boost the 76ers' point guard spot. Covington, a career 35.4 percent shooter from the three-point area, would add to the Grizzlies' outside scoring.
On the other hand, Baldwin IV is off to a slow start, playing limited minutes in Memphis' guard rotation, but would be an intriguing piece to Philly's core of young talents. Until Ben Simmons returns from injury, Baldwin IV could take over as the 76ers' top option at the point guard spot.
It is unclear whether the 76ers would consider such move, but both Baldwin IV and Smart are sustainable options for Philadelphia, especially with the team lacking effective backcourt pieces to run the point.
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