The Philadelphia 76ers have a few different needs on their roster as they head into the 2020 offseason. The biggest need is obviously shooting as they need a guy who can space the floor, but they could also use another guy who can run the offense a bit and handle the ball.
A guy who fits both of those needs is Mike Conley of the Utah Jazz. They acquired him from the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019 offseason, but he had a subpar regular season before having a strong postseason where he averaged 19.8 points and shot 52.9% from deep against the Denver Nuggets.
The erratic play in the regular season combined with his strong play in the postseason and his potentially expiring deal–he has an early termination option for next season–makes him a potential trade candidate. The Sixers are a guy who could be in need of his services.
A new trade proposal from Bleacher Report has the Sixers acquiring the veteran guard from Utah in exchange for Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle, and the number 21 pick in the 2020 draft.
B/R on the deal:
The Philadelphia 76ers have needed a conventional point guard for as long as the Joel Embiid-Ben Simmons version of the team has existed. Conley, who looked much more like himself in the bubble after a rough season with the Jazz, would give Philly the exact kind of player it’s been missing.
Bonus: The Sixers would get out from under Tobias Harris’ gargantuan contract!
That’ll cost them, though, as Philadelphia would have to send Matisse Thybulle, one of the league’s most exciting defensive prospects, and the No. 21 pick to the Jazz in exchange for them absorbing the remaining four years and $147 million on Harris’ deal.
As mentioned before, if the Sixers are to get out of one of their big contracts like Harris’, they will have to give up something valuable in return. However, Philadelphia could be hesitant to move Harris due to the fact that he will now be playing under Doc Rivers who is a guy he had success under while with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Conley is a guy who has had a lot of success in his career and he would be a very good fit in Philadelphia. Sure, he had a down year in the regular season, but there is still a lot of good he can do on a team like the Sixers. Especially if they still plan on moving Simmons off the ball. [lawrence-related id=38653,38644,38641]