The Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up for the 2024-2025 NBA season, and there’s plenty of excitement in the air surrounding their roster and potential trade possibilities.
Under the leadership of their General Manager, Daryl Morey, the Sixers have become one of the most active teams when it comes to making deals.
Morey, known for bold moves during his time with the Houston Rockets, has brought the same approach to Philadelphia.
As the season goes on, there’s a lot of expectation that the 76ers will stay active in the trade market, especially as the 2025 trade deadline gets closer.
Some fans believe the Sixers already have a strong team that could win a championship, but things can change as the season plays out.
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz recently highlighted the Sixers’ best trade assets, focusing on a few new additions to the team.
These players, along with a future draft pick, could be important in any potential trade deals the team makes in the coming months.
Three key trade assets for the Sixers are rookie Jared McCain, forward Caleb Martin, and a valuable 2028 first-round draft pick that they got from the Los Angeles Clippers. And there’s no doubt these could all play important roles if the team decides to make moves during the season.
Jared McCain, a player the Sixers recently drafted, hasn’t played in an NBA regular-season game yet but is already seen as a valuable asset.
McCain, who played college basketball for Kentucky, was impressive in college, scoring an average of 14 points and grabbing five rebounds per game. Plus, he also shot 41 percent from three-point range.
The Sixers picked him 16th overall in the draft after passing on trade offers, which shows their confidence in his potential.
Since Morey has a track record of developing young talent, McCain’s future with the team could go either way.
The thing is, he might become a key player, like Tyrese Maxey, or he could be traded if the right offer comes along. However, trading him too soon could be risky if he becomes a star player down the road.
Another recent addition, Caleb Martin, joined the team from the Miami Heat and is also seen as a valuable trade option.
At 28 years old, Martin brings important playoff experience, having been part of Miami’s playoff runs for the past three seasons.
He reportedly turned down bigger contracts to join the Sixers, showing he wants to be part of their plans. Looking ahead, the Sixers are counting on Martin to be a key player, and he might even start in some games this season.
His four-year, $35 million contract is seen as a great deal for the team. Since Martin can play both forward positions and has solid playoff experience, it makes him a valuable piece, but the Sixers probably won’t trade him anytime soon.
Along with McCain and Martin, the 2028 first-round pick from the Clippers is a big trade asset.
Since Clippers’ stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are getting older, this pick could be worth even more if the Clippers start to struggle.
Right now, it seems the Sixers plan to hold onto this pick, knowing its value could grow as the Clippers’ star players age.
In addition to these assets, the Sixers have some players they likely won’t trade. Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey are seen as the team’s core players and are unlikely to be part of any trade talks.
When you look at it closely, the Sixers’ roster is a mix of young and older players. While Tyrese Maxey is one of the youngest and most promising players, many of the team’s other key players are veterans, like Paul George (34), Reggie Jackson (34), and Eric Gordon (35).
Besides, they also recently re-signed 38-year-old Kyle Lowry. So, this makes McCain’s youth even more important, as he brings energy and potential to a team full of older players nearing the end of their careers.
Looking at these factors, it’s clear why the Sixers would want to keep McCain, Martin, and the 2028 pick.
McCain offers a youthful spark that the team needs, Martin fills an important role as a forward, and the Clippers’ pick could become more valuable over time.
Overall, the Sixers have put themselves in a good spot to compete for a championship while also thinking ahead for the future.
Whether they keep these players and picks or trade them later on will depend on how the season goes, but right now, these are the main things to keep an eye on.
