76ers could explore risky trade for $80 million guard amid Bulls’ fire sale
If the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t giving up on their season just yet, more options have opened up for them.
Jake Fischer reported on The Stein Line that multiple high-profile Chicago Bulls players will be available to trade.
“Bulls executives, according to league sources, have been messaging to rival front offices that they are willing to discuss the majority of their roster in trade talks leading up to the Feb. 6 trade deadline,” Fischer wrote. “Most notably, sources say, Chicago has expressed a desire to move (Zach) LaVine, (Nikola) Vučević, and (Lonzo) Ball — who collectively command nearly $85 million in salary this season.”
The Sixers don’t have much use for LaVine because Tyrese Maxey does much of what LaVine does. Seeing a Vucevic reunion in Philadelphia would be fun, but they wouldn’t pay that much for someone to be Joel Embiid’s backup.
However, Ball is a different story. At least, on paper, he is.
Why Ball makes sense for the Sixers
Following a hiatus that has lasted for over two seasons, Ball has finally returned to the NBA. His initial statistics have not been great. Ball is averaging 4.4 points while shooting 38.1% from the field and 33.3% from three in only 16.7 minutes a game, . It’s safe to say that the Bulls are slowly working him back.
Based on those results, acquiring Ball is not a foolproof strategy. Knowing what he was before his knee problems, Ball is exactly what the Sixers need.
Ball was a jack-of-all-trades guard at the peak of his career, known for his shooting, passing, and defense. There’s no telling if he will ever be that player again, but he would be exactly what the Sixers need because they need positional versatility.
Philadelphia already has enough star talent. They need players who can do multiple things for them, and Ball fits the bill on paper.
If the Sixers acquire him, it’s because they believe in him.
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