For the Philadelphia 76ers to get their season back on track, they must address their size issues, particularly from the wing.
Guerschon Yabusele has done well enough that the Sixers have no interest in trading him. However, they need more than him to carry that load. Paul George is back from injury and looks like himself again, but they need wings that can space the floor.
Kelly Oubre Jr. can score, but he’s not a floor-spacer, as he shoots 32% from distance. The same can be said about Caleb Martin whose shooting from distance has plummeted from nearly 35% with the Miami Heat last season to 29.2% with the Sixers.
The Sixers will need better spacing if they want a title run. San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes is one player who fits both as a winner and as a floor-spacing wing that the Sixers would have plenty of use for.
Barnes is shooting 43% from three this season, and he won the title with the Golden State Warriors in 2015. Granted, he’s only been to the playoffs once since leaving Golden State in 2016, but that’s still on his resume.
First, the Spurs would have to decide that it’s not worth keeping Barnes, and that’s not a sure thing. He’s started every game for them, and even if he’s not scoring at the rate he once did, he’s doing what they want.
However, they could stand to get younger, leading to a trade. Barnes would not be too expensive, as he’s owed $18 million this season.
Something like this could work between the two sides.
Sixers receive: Barnes
Spurs receive: Martin, KJ Martin, Reggie Jackson, 2026 Sixers first-round pick
The Sixers can’t make this trade until December 15 because that’s when all three of those players become trade-eligible. There’s no telling where both of these teams will be by the trade deadline. However, as far as dependable wing depth goes at an okay price, Barnes might be their best bet.
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