NBA Trades: Sixers rescue season from brink with hypothetical blockbuster with Bulls

NBA Trades: Sixers rescue season from brink with hypothetical blockbuster with Bulls

While the Bulls are in the thick of the play-in race, they probably will not move further up the Eastern Conference standings. The Bulls just lost Zach LaVine for the season and the East is as tough as it's been in years. DeRozan also becomes an unrestricted free agent after the season, so getting compensation for him now should be the priority.

They get the first-round pick they desire and a second-round pick this year as well. Morris and Covington are veterans who can contribute to the team but are mostly in the trade to match DeRozan’s salary.

As for the Sixers, they were able to recoup some assets thanks to the Harden trade and they took advantage of that here. If they want to stay afloat until the return of the embryo, this is how they do it. They bring in a consistent scorer that can alleviate the workload of Maxey offensively while also making them more complete and dangerous once the Sixers are whole again.

Additionally, for Philly, this trade allows them to keep pace with the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Milwaukee Bucks when it comes to competing for a top-four seed. They need to acquire as much star power as possible in order to keep pace.

Philly can get out of this nightmare by trading for DeRozan. They have the assets to entice the Bulls and with the trade deadline coming on Thursday, they need to make the move as soon as possible.