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Philadelphia 76ers: Ranking 5 potential offseason trades

By Larry Hammonds

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 18: A general view of the Philadelphia 76ers logo at center court against the Golden State Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center on November 18, 2017 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 18: A general view of the Philadelphia 76ers logo at center court against the Golden State Warriors at the Wells Fargo Center on November 18, 2017 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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Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia 76ers trade No. 5

After signing a four-year deal worth $94 million, Buddy Hield had a tumultuous season with the Sacramento Kings, opening the door for trade rumors like this.

Falling out of favor with new head coach Luke Walton, Hield was benched mid-season for Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Bogdanovic should command plenty of interest from teams with cap space as a restricted free agent. With Fox likely to receive a max extension this offseason, the Kings find themselves in a difficult situation.

It would be unwise to unload the Brinks truck for three guards, and with the last season’s benching in combination with allegedly ignoring his coach’s phone calls (subscription required), Hield is likely the odd-man-out.

That’s where the Sixers come in. Hield can play a complementary role to the 76ers stars.

Hield is a creative scorer and is very hard to stop once he gets a hot hand, and his elite marksmanship from outside (41.1 career 3-point percentage) would do wonders for the Sixers offense.

Hield’s presence in the lineup will open up the floor for Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. He’s no slouch on defense either, averaging 1.1 steals per 36 minutes last season.

Cory Joseph is a bonus for the Sixers. His veteran presence will be good for Shake Milton’s development while also giving the 76ers a quality point guard with playoff experience to run the second unit.

It is also a good way for the Kings to unload a little more salary with Horford’s incoming contract.

By trading for Horford, the Kings would get a veteran leader in the locker room and a mentor for this young core. On the court, Horford is a standout center that will fortify the team’s frontcourt and help end the longest active playoff drought in the NBA.

Zhaire Smith will be just 21 years old when the 2021 season starts and shot 37.6 percent from beyond the arc in 28 games with the Philadelphia 76ers G League affiliate Delaware Blue Coats last season.

Smith and the 2020 second-round draft pick is added incentive for the Kings to take on an aging Horford’s massive deal despite the fact he’s only making approximately $2.6 million more than Hield next season.