Sixers Trade Deadline Preview

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

In the past week and a half, the Sixers have unveiled their new mascot, a new slogan for 2015-16 and the announcement of new uniforms. Now, the question remains, as of 3:00 pm eastern time today, can we add any new players to the list?

At last year’s NBA trade deadline, the Sixers were among the more active teams in the league. Gone were Spencer Hawes, Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen; enter Henry Sims, Byron Mullens and all the second-round picks Sam Hinkie could fit in his Supermarket Sweep cart at one time. However, this time around, things are expected to be much quieter in South Philly.

The only player who is a real threat to be traded today is Luc Mbah a Moute, who is on the last year of his contract and at 28 years old, practically a dinosaur compared to the rest of the Sixers roster. He could be a valuable addition to a contender, given his defensive prowess and versatility guarding multiple positions. I could definitely see him being shipped out for yet another second-round pick. Still, the Sixers will have to get something of value for him because Brett Brown loves him around to stabilize the line-up and provide good veteran leadership for the younger guys (including fellow Cameroon native Joel Embiid). If Mbah a Moute does go, it will be news to him:

#Sixers LMAM on possibly being traded: ‘If I see something tomorrow, I’ll be as surprised as you.’ #76ers

— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) February 18, 2015

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAnother likelier scenario is the Sixers simply take on someone’s unwanted contract, in exchange for a swap of 2nd-round picks where the Sixers’ selection is protected to the point that they’re actually giving up nothing. Think back to what the team did in getting 2 second-rounders in exchange to pay the rest of Eric Maynor’s contract last year and you get the idea. The team could acquire a point guard through such means and actually want to take a look at him, or they could quickly buy him out and then go shopping again at the 10 days or less store. Either way, with Michael Carter-Williams’ toe still bothering him and no backup currently on the roster, the Sixers will have another point guard by Friday.

#Sixers Brown: Team ‘will, for sure, get another point guard’ for Fri vs #Pacers. ‘It could be Tim (Frazier). could be somebody in a trade.’

— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) February 18, 2015

Other possible deals include Andrei Kirilenko as a potential buyout candidate if the Sixers can’t find a taker for the veteran forward. His wife, who was having pregnancy complications, recently gave birth to a healthy baby boy, so one would assume he’d be ready to retake the court before too long. Given how the situation soured between Kirilenko and the Sixers after they wanted him to report and his subsequent suspension, it seems highly improbable he ever dons the Philadelphia uniform.

While things are much quieter than this time last year, Sam Hinkie certainly keeps things close to the vest so who knows if something is brewing (remember how blindsided we were by the Jrue Holiday draft night deal). Either way, we’ll know for sure as of this afternoon; the waiting ends now.