The Philadelphia 76ers are continuing to do their due diligence as they look to improve their team for the playoff run. The trade deadline is February 6 and they are looking to add some more shooting and playmaking to a team that is devoid of shooters.
One name that continues to come up is former Sixers forward Robert Covington who was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Jimmy Butler trade in November of 2018. Covington is one of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA and his presence would allow the Sixers to become one of the elite defenses in the league and he is a solid shooter, but Minnesota won’t just give him up.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski wrote:
Rival teams also say the market for forward Robert Covington has been heating up over recent days. Covington has become a coveted player, with his defensive prowess and outside shooting an ideal fit for most teams in the playoff hunt. Houston, Dallas and Philadelphia are among the teams that have expressed interest in him, but Minnesota is expected to drive a hard bargain, league sources said.
With the Timberwolves already sending Jeff Teague to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday morning, they would be more willing to move a guy like Covington who would be more useful on a contending team like Philadelphia.
As far as assets are concerned, the Sixers could give a young guy like Zhaire Smith for Covington who helps them win now. The emergence of Matisse Thybulle plus the play of rookie Marial Shayok down in the G League has made Smith expendable. [lawrence-related id=23641,23634,23626]