Did you think that, with Ben Simmons gone and James Harden in the fold, the Sixers would be done with big splashy trade rumors and rumblings?
That doesn't sound like a Daryl Morey team to me.
And even as the Sixers roll on with a newfound powerhouse post-trade deadline, roaring up to second in the East with absolutely insane stats in a short sample so far, they might not be a finished product for the future.
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Because according to former NBAer Andrew Bogut, another star in the Eastern Conference wants to team up with the Sixers' super team: Wizards guard Bradley Beal.
Here's what Bogut had to say on his Rogue Bogues podcast this week:
"I've heard a pretty big rumor, bro, from some people that are pretty close to situations in the NBA. The Big Three to Philly, Brad Beal is trying to get to Philadelphia in the offseason to team up with Harden and [Joel] Embiid. Philly's desperate, obviously, to try and get off [Tobias] Harris anyway, they have been for a while, and I think they're even more desperate now to free up that cap space somehow. It'll most likely have to be a sign-and-trade with Philly, but don't be surprised if a Big Three forms in Philly. That's the word on the street.
"[...]
"Just interesting. One percent, two percent chance of happening, but it's being discussed."
One percent? Two percent? Shoot, that's enough for me, Andrew.
This would be a truly bonkers move, one that would materially change the Eastern Conference for years to come. Harden and Embiid are already one of the most dangerous duos in the league. If you add Beal into that offense, the Sixers might score 140 every night. Who needs defense when opposing offenses can't keep up?
More seriously, I don't doubt that Beal will want to join a better team - and maybe even the Sixers - this offseason through a sign-and-trade, but I can't pretend to know how the Sixers would afford it. They haven't extended James Harden yet, which means Morey will have to hammer out that deal before he can even think about a Beal swap.
Beal will be eligible to sign a five-year, $246M deal with the Wizards if he declines his player option for next year, which in this case he probably would. Tobias Harris is due $37.6 million in 2022-23 and and $39.3 million in 2023-24, so the math doesn't exactly square up. The Sixers would need to add more in a sign-and-trade with Washington, both to make the salaries work and to give the Wizards equal value.
READ: It sounds like Ben Simmons is ready for Sixers fans' boos
Morey miraculously hung on to Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle through the Harden trade. Would one be moved here? I can't imagine Maxey going anywhere at this point; he's simply too good, with too high a ceiling and too firm a grip on the fanbase. Thybulle would be doable, were I Morey.
Here's a sample idea:
WAS receives: Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle, 2023 1st Round Pick
PHI receives: Bradley Beal
I'd take it for the Sixers, and I'd take it for the Wizards. I'd imagine the Wiz would then try to pawn Harris off on a team like the Thunder or someone else with cap space, packaging the first round pick from the Sixers as grease for accepting Harris's albatross contract.
It's all wild, and theoretical, and we're an entire playoff run away from any of it. But it's certainly something to keep your collective eyes on as the Sixers' rapidly-changing roster of the future continues to take shape around Joel Embiid's prime.
