The Philadelphia 76ers are desperate to find a fix that doesn’t involve trading Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid.
The Oklahoma City Thunder would like to acquire assets for the future.
In one swoop, Philadelphia could fix its floor spacing and get themselves a leader on both ends of the court, while the Thunder could acquire young talent and draft capital.
The Sixers should trade for Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul.
The Proposal
Sixers receive: Chris Paul
Thunder receive: Josh Richardson, Al Horford, 2021 first-round draft pick
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Why the Thunder do it
It’s tough to believe that Horford went from a good player who could give playoff minutes to a detrimental player in one offseason. His fit next to Embiid in Philadelphia is awful, and the 76ers must be searching for ways to trade him.
The Thunder would have the cap space, and if they’re rebuilding, they don’t have to stress winning so much as they would rebuilding Horford’s trade value.
There’s a reason the Steven Adams trade idea was the first one we proposed: For the Thunder to maximize their return, it’s important to trade Adams first, or else they’ll lose any leverage they may have on the big.
If Horford can return to his Celtics level of play, he could net some return, even if it’s just a second-rounder.
He’s not the main draw of this trade. In fact, that 2021 first-rounder is included to incentive the Thunder to take on his contract.
That pick is more important than Horford, and more important than this pick is Josh Richardson, who has one $10 million deal on his contract in addition to a player option worth $11 million that he seems likely to reject.
If the Thunder want to keep him, he offers scoring at the wing position that Oklahoma City has been missing. If — and this is more likely — they trade him on an expiring deal, they could net another first-round pick. A contender would certainly sniff around for Richardson.
This would make the Thunder’s return two first-rounders and Horford, who, if all goes well, could net an additional asset.
That’s good return for a 35-year-old who will be paid $85 million over the next two years.
Why the Sixers do it
To keep it blunt, they’re desperate. Brett Brown was the scapegoat for the lack of growth the last couple seasons, and if the Sixers can’t advance further in the playoffs — or at the very least look more in-sync on the floor — noise about trading one of the two stars will grow to a deafening level.
Adding Paul at point guard will improve their shooting and spacing. Simmons can slide up to forward while still manning some ball handler role. Imagine the defense of a starting lineup with nine-time All-Defensive player Paul alongside Simmons, Matisse Thybulle and Joel Embiid.
That’s terrifying.
And that’s a much, much better fit than the one they have now with Horford.
Speaking of Horford, if he stays in Philly his contract will become untradeable — if it’s not already. Paid an average of $27 million over the next three years, it’s worth giving up a first-round pick to find a taker. And Richardson is good, but he shouldn’t stand in the way of getting Paul.
Why the Thunder don’t do it
We briefly addressed this in the last section — Horford’s contract may not be tradeable. Oklahoma City wants to cut their cap, yet if they are unable to trade Horford and keep Richardson as a starting wing, they only save about $3 million this season.
If they do trade Adams, that would be enough to get them under the decreasing salary cap, but it’s minimal relief for a team that would be punting on the playoffs.
Speaking of Adams, if they Thunder can’t trade him beforehand, they’re suddenly stuck with the same issue that Philly has this year. He and Horford can’t play next two each other, and Oklahoma City would be paying them a combined $55 million this year.
Why the Sixers don’t do it
Paul’s contract is expensive and it limits what the Sixers can do in free agency. Without Richardson and Horford, there are areas of depth the team would need to address.
But with smart drafting, the mid-level exception and the allure they would have for veterans looking to play with a contender, this shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Who says no?
Adding Horford’s contract is a tough sell for Thunder brass. It’s tough to tell someone that $27 million isn’t a lot of money when it’s not my money to spend.
A draft pick and Richadson is a good return, but with a decrease in cap due to the coronavirus, Oklahoma City might not want to replace Paul’s contract with Horford’s contract. Philly may have to sweeten the deal even more.
But there’s upside for both teams in this deal.