5 Trades To Reshape Philadelphia 76ers Into Eastern Conference Powerhouse

The Philadelphia 76ers had a disastrous end to their 2024-25 campaign. A year that began with high expectations, headlined by the offseason acquisition of Paul George, ended with a 24–58 record and a 13th-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Injuries crippled any hope of consistency this season. Joel Embiid, the franchise cornerstone, played in just 19 games due to recurring knee issues. His season officially came to an end after he announced he would be undergoing knee surgery. 

Tyrese Maxey, last year’s Most Improved Player, was sidelined after sustaining a finger injury. Meanwhile. Newly acquired star Paul George also struggled to stay on the court.

Unfortunately, when available, he delivered underwhelming performances for a player expected to elevate the Sixers into title contention. George’s 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game on 43% shooting raised more questions within the fan base and the front office about whether signing him was worthwhile or not.

76ers rookie Jared McCain provided a bright spark midway through the season. The youngster, who showed flashes of maturity and scoring ability, however, couldn’t shift the tide on a team and eventually succumbed to a torn meniscus.

Now, the Sixers enter the 2025 offseason at a crossroads. With the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft and potential cap flexibility looming, the franchise has a golden opportunity to pivot—and it starts by moving on from Paul George. 

These five trade proposals aim to reshape the roster around a healthier Embiid-Maxey core, with a renewed focus on fit, durability, and long-term upside.

76ers Land Two Proven Players In Deal With Wizards

Proposed Trade Details

Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Khris Middleton, Marcus Smart

Washington Wizards Receive: Paul George, 2028 First-Round Pick (Clippers)

This proposed deal highlights flexibility. Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart are both on expiring contracts after 2025–26, making them ideal placeholders while Philadelphia develops its younger core.

Middleton brings veteran scoring and playoff experience. Meanwhile, Smart gives the team defensive grit and leadership that were sorely lacking this year. While Middleton could fit seamlessly into the third scorer role in George’s place, Smart gives the team a significant boost to the bench.

More importantly, this removes the three years left on George’s contract off the books. Instead, the Sixers gain two respected veterans who can play next to Maxey and Embiid or be used as trade chips at the deadline.

Much-Needed Deal Between 76ers And Hornets

Proposed Trade Details

Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Miles Bridges, Tre Mann, 2026 First-Round Pick

Charlotte Hornets Receive: Paul George

This trade is centered around injecting Philadelphia’s roster with some youth. Miles Bridges, while a polarizing figure, averaged 20.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game on decent shooting splits this season. This would improve the 76ers’ frontcourt versatility. 

Meanwhile, Tre Mann is an intriguing guard prospect. He averaged 14.1 points and 3.0 assists in 24.5 minutes played per game this season and displays creative scoring ability with some playmaking upside. This could be beneficial to the team’s backcourt bench when considering the future first-round pick.

This trade may not turn heads nationally, but it offloads George and adds younger, healthier players who can contribute right away.

Meanwhile, the Hornets are desperate to give LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller a third star. George gives them a defensive presence and a shot creator they’ve lacked. The veteran presence could also help Miller’s development if he stays healthy.

76ers Acquire Three Bulls Players For Paul George

Proposed Trade Details

Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Patrick Williams

Chicago Bulls Receive: Paul George

Trading Paul George to the Chicago Bulls could prove to be largely beneficial for Philadelphia. This deal gives the Sixers three young pieces who are ready to compete and assimilate into a rotation right away. 

Coby White, since breaking out last year, saw a gradual improvement in performance during his 2024–25 campaign. By putting up an average of 20.4 points and 4.5 assists per game, he showed improvement in defense as well. 

Ayo Dosunmu has been a high-energy combo guard with defensive ability and playoff-ready toughness. Although he missed a large part of the 2024-25 season, he displayed tremendous upside and could be of value to Philadelphia’s guard rotation.

Patrick Williams, on the other hand, remains an enigma. At $18 million and four years on his contract, however, Williams could prove to be a solid trade chip in the future if the 76ers don’t have any use for him. This trade allows Philly to build a solid core around Maxey, McCain, and Embiid while raising the team’s athletic ceiling.

This trade also has some benefits for the Bulls. Although the franchise has resisted a rebuild for the longest time, George offers a veteran upgrade, much to the team’s appeal. He could be a solid mentor to Bulls’ rising star Matas Buzelis and give the team a chance to build a new Big 3.

76ers Quickly Rebuild Their Rotation In Deal With Pelicans

Proposed Trade Details

Philadelphia 76ers: CJ McCollum, Jose Alvarado, 2027 Second-Round Pick (Chicago)

New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Paul George

The Philadelphia 76ers could use a player like CJ McCollum in their rotation. He brings reliable scoring and veteran shot creation that can help stabilize the offense when Maxey goes to the bench. 

Additionally, as an expiring contract, McCollum provides Philadelphia with a lot of flexibility for the future. Meanwhile, Jose Alvarado is an exciting guard who plays with a lot of intensity and persistence—something the Sixers missed all year due to the injuries they sustained. 

This isn’t a blockbuster move that changes the team’s structure. But it brings the Sixers two playoff-tested players on movable deals. More importantly, it gives them flexibility and cap options for 2026 while moving off George’s long-term money.

The Pelicans would also benefit from acquiring a player like George. The veteran could help the team get over the hump and provide solid perimeter defense. George emerges as a solid second All-Star replacement for Brandon Ingram to complement Zion Williamson, if they don’t trade their forward first.

The Pelicans are one healthy season away from being a threat in the West, and George could help bridge that gap.

Winning Trade Idea For The 76ers

Proposed Trade Details

Philadelphia 76ers: Collin Sexton, John Collins, 2031 First-Round Pick (Suns)

Utah Jazz Receive: Paul George

The Philadelphia 76ers currently have a solid starting backcourt featuring Maxey and McCain. However, their bench rotation was depleted, and the inadequacies were put on full display with injuries plaguing the team.

Collin Sexton appears to be one of the most lucrative guards to have heading into next season. The Jazz guard is coming off a solid display of 18.4 points and 4.2 assists on 48.0% shooting from the field. He could be the two-way threat that the 76ers need off the bench while also being a reliable starter in the absence of Philadelphia’s youngsters. 

John Collins, on the other hand, has declined since his Atlanta days. However, he remains a solid stretch forward who can add depth to the team or start in the power forward position. While also considering his $26.5 million expiring contract, he appears to be a solid option for clearing cap space in the following season.

The deal also has some benefits for the Utah Jazz, as they remain in asset-accumulation mode. After whiffing on the draft lottery, the Jazz would be disappointed. But, to their credit, they still have a war chest of picks. 

Although George’s arrival doesn’t match the timeline the Jazz are on, it would instantly give Utah a respected veteran leader to pair with Lauri Markkanen. He could also fit into the role of mentor next to some of Utah’s younger players to help raise the team’s profile for the coming years.