Philadelphia 76ers: Ranking each trade target they are rumored to be interested in

1. Luke Kennard

Luke Kennard is far and away the best option the Sixers have been rumored to be connected to thus far when considering short-term and long-term implications of striking a deal.

Hitting nearly 40 percent of his threes so far this season, he is averaging 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game for the Pistons, all career highs. This season has been his emergence onto the scene, and he’s taking advantage of every opportunity he gets with the Pistons.

Kennard is under contract for one more year before the Sixers can extend a qualifying offer to him the following year. From there, he will enter restricted free agency, giving the Sixers control over whether or not they keep him or not.

A trade for Kennard is likely to come at a high asking price. The Pistons, entering a rebuild, can and should hold off on trades including Kennard unless there are considerable assets that come in return, both draft picks and players.

A possible trade scenario would likely need to include multiple draft picks, Zhaire Smith and/or Mattisse Thybulle. Even then, it could be justifiable for the Pistons to say no depending on the location and timing of the draft picks.

Detroit can build around Kennard. They probably want to as well. If the Sixers can get him they get a ready-to-shoot wing that they can fold into their long-term plans simultaneously.

If the Sixers pull off a trade for Kennard and don’t win a championship or Kennard’s development stunts, this trade could be looked at as a bad decision by Elton Brand and the Sixers. Still, the risk level here is low, Kennard is a proven player and fills the need the Sixers are looking for. The issue comes with what the Sixers would need to offer up in return.