The Philadelphia 76ers will likely be buyers once trading season heats up, even if they are currently the No. 12 seed in the Eastern Conference.

However, though they will entertain trades, a roadblock prevents them from being completed as soon as possible.

Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported on Stein’s Substack about what would prevent the Sixers from making a trade.

“A desire to make a move or two is never lacking in Philadelphia,” they wrote. “The issue these days for 7-15 76ers is limited optionality. A December deal is highly unlikely because two of Philly’s most perceived-to-be tradable players — KJ Martin and Kelly Oubre — are ineligible to be moved until Jan. 15 since both re-signed with the Sixers at numbers north of 120% of their 2023-24 salaries.”

Martin has been brought up in trade ideas because his contract appeals to teams trying to cut a salary or two. The second year of Martin’s current contract is non-guaranteed.

Why this puts the Sixers at a disadvantage

Other unrestricted free agents who signed with their teams on December 15 are eligible to be traded. Hence, the teams who employ them have the first crack at getting their desired trade targets before the Sixers do.

At the same time, they only have a month, and there’s no telling if sellers will like what other potential partners have more than the Sixers.

The Sixers are working to get their season back on track. Their most recent stretch of games looks the most promising they’ve been all season. Getting another rotation player for the stretch run could do wonders for them.

They may have to wait a little longer than most teams will to make that happen, but it will be interesting to see if what Philadelphia has may make sellers think twice before they make any moves. Conversely, sellers may use the Sixers’ disadvantage to their advantage in trade negotiations.

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