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Philadelphia 76ers: 3 trades team should make before deadline

By Simon Smith

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Phoenix Suns at the Wells Fargo Center on November 19, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Phoenix Suns at the Wells Fargo Center on November 19, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

3. Orlando Magic

After a disastrous rookie year consisting of just 14 games, Markelle Fultz‘s sophomore campaign has not proven to be much more fruitful. While he managed to play in the opening 19 games of the season, Fultz’s career again derailed, meaning the 20-year-old has not taken to the court since Nov. 19.

This time around, the diagnosis was thoracic outlet syndrome, which ultimately explains the reason Fultz’s shooting form has plummeted so dramatically since being taken No. 1 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. While he managed to average 8.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists in his 22.5 minutes per game, his .419/.286/.568 shooting splits were far from a positive for the Sixers.

With Simmons clearly established as the floor general, and the starting unit seemingly set in stone, the Sixers would be best advised to cut bait as soon as possible should a team show a willingness to invest and take a punt on the former University of Washington star.

With the Sixers clearly in win-now mode, the following proposal appears to make sense on both sides of the equation:

In Ross, the Sixers are receiving a legitimate scoring weapon off the bench, something they are sorely lacking at the present time. Currently averaging a career high 13.7 points per game, Ross is equally adept at either creating his own or shot or moving without the ball to finish from a variety of spots on the floor. Additionally, the Magic would be sending the Sixers’ a 2019 second round draft selection.

For the Magic, the ability to land a tantalizing prospect still just 20 years old seems a worthwhile risk for team lacking a future star in the backcourt. Furthermore, it avoids the team having to potentially overpay Ross this offseason when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.