After failing to achieve their main goal in the 2021-22 NBA season, the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to be more aggressive in upgrading their roster this summer. Though they managed to acquire All-Star shooting guard James Harden before the 2022 NBA trade deadline, it only carried them as far as the second round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. Since the 2022 NBA offseason started, the Sixers continue to be linked to several big names who are rumored to be available on the trading block.
NBA Rumors: Sixers' Trade Offer For Kyrie Irving Could Include Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle & 2026 1st-Round Pick
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Dream Offseason Target - Kyrie Irving
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One of the superstars who have been recently linked with the Sixers is All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets. Before he decided to opt into the final year of his contract, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN revealed on Twitter that "Uncle Drew" included the Sixers on the list of teams he'd like to consider a sign-and-trade with the Nets. Despite the rumors about his relationship with Harden last season, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey would definitely be intrigued by the idea of bringing Irving to the City of Brotherly Love.
Potential Kyrie Irving-Sixers Trade
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In an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Shams Charania of The Athletic seemed to confirm that the Sixers have a real interest in acquiring Irving from the Nets. According to Charania, the Sixers were one of the teams who were "poking around him on opt-in-and-trade." Meanwhile, NBC Sports' Adam Hermann discussed in his article what a potential Irving-to-Sixers trade could look like:
A No-Brainer Deal For Sixers
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The Sixers are no longer expected to think twice before making the proposed trade. The suggested deal won't only help the Sixers unload Harris and his massive salary, but it would also enable them to add a third star who would help Embiid and Harden carry the team in the 2022-23 NBA season. Irving would give the Sixers a prolific scorer, an incredible playmaker, and an elite three-point shooter.
Last season, Irving averaged 27.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.98 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 41.8 percent from beyond the arc. It would still take time for Irving to mesh well with Harden and Embiid but once they find the perfect chemistry, the Sixers could become unstoppable on the offensive end of the floor.
Does The Trade Make Sense For The Nets?
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The Nets must have felt a sense of relief when Irving opted in and committed to helping them contend for the NBA championship title in the 2022-23 NBA season. However, if he pushes through with his plan to leave, accepting the Sixers' suggested offer isn't bad at all for the Nets. Instead of losing him as a free agent without getting anything in return, the Nets would be acquiring a young and promising player that they could develop in Thybulle and a future first-round pick. The ideal scenario for the Nets is to find a third team who is willing to absorb Harris and his lucrative contract.
