After a disappointing end to the season last year, as they were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first-round of the playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers made some massive changes with their management and their roster and now find themselves at the top of the standings in the Eastern Conference. Doc Rivers has done a fantastic job coaching this roster, but Joel Embiid emerging as a true NBA MVP candidate has elevated this team to new heights.
Joel Embiid has played in 16 of the 76ers 21 games so far this year and is currently averaging 28.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and is shooting 54.4% from the floor, 40.4% from three-point range. As a result, he ranks 4th in the league in scoring, 17th in field goal percentage, 9th in rebounding and is second in the league in Player Efficiency Rating.
The last five recipients of the league MVP award led the league in Player Efficiency Rating and all season long, both Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic have gone back-and-forth with who is in first and who is in second in this category. Embiid’s overall play has elevated the 76ers to being one of the best teams in the entire NBA and as a result, they are legit championship contenders this season and real threats to take down the Los Angeles Lakers.
Joel Embiid is the leader of this team and they will go as far as he is able to take them, but Tobias Harris has also stepped up this season after receiving a lot of criticism and backlash after his “lackluster” performances in the NBA Bubble. Harris is averaging over 20 points per game and is one of seven power-forwards in the league to be currently averaging 20+ points per game.
Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Domantas Sabonis, Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis and Julius Randle are the six others on this list and all are most likely going to end up being All-Stars this season. If Tobias Harris can continue to play at this level, then there is no reason why the Sixers cannot make it back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2001.
While they are one of the best teams in the league already, the Philadelphia 76ers could still go out and make some moves before the NBA trade deadline to further their chances of winning a title this year. Let’s take a look at three intriguing trade targets for the 76ers as the trade deadline quickly approaches.
