With February’s trade deadline approaching, teams around the league will be looking for ways to improve their team.
The Philadelphia 76ers, despite their talent, probably need a mix-up more than most. Losers of 4 straight, and 7 of their last 10, it’s clear something is just not working for them this season.
According to Jonathan Soveta of The Score, they could look towards Cleveland for a solution.
Al Horford’s integration into the Philadelphia 76ers’ system hasn’t gone smoothly. He was signed to a massive four-year, $109-million deal during free agency to help elevate the 76ers to another level. Instead, Horford’s averaging just 12.2 points per game, his lowest output since his 2011-12 season with the Atlanta Hawks, and Philadelphia is already nine games back of the first-place Milwaukee Bucks.
Love isn’t anywhere near the defender Horford is, but the 76ers, who rank 23rd in 3-pointers made per game, could desperately use his ability to stretch the floor. The drawback is trading away a marquee player just months after signing him would drastically hurt the perception of the franchise as a free-agent destination, but with “The Process” now long over, it’s a risk the 76ers need to take.
With a core of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris, Philly has the makings of a true contender. But they will need to add shooters if they want to make things work.
Even at 31-years-old, Kevin Love is just that. He’s averaging 16 points and 10.3 rebounds for the Cavs this season. A deal involving Horford and a 2024 1st-round pick might be enough to get the job done.
