The Philadelphia 76ers seem like they are not planning to do anything major before the trade deadline, so suffice to say that they are not in the running for Giannis Antetokounmpo at all. That has never really been an existent front. Having said that, the team could very well end up playing a key role in a prospective blockbuster trade for the superstar.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Minnesota Timberwolves are one team that is aggressively pursuing the two-time MVP. And to make the money work, they are actively recruiting third and fourth teams to possibly help facilitate what is expected to be a convoluted trade framework for the Greek Freak ahead of the February 5 deadline.
So far, there has been no express mention of candidates to man that role, but the 76ers do have the infrastructure to end up becoming a vital part of a multi-team Giannis trade with their boatload of booming salaries and expiring contracts they can consolidate. Put simply, Philly has multiple avenues to be a salary matcher or absorber.
The 76ers could play a surprising part in Giannis trade talks
Minnesota seems intent on securing Antetokounmpo, and to their credit, it seems like the superstar has reciprocated. He reportedly has the Timberwolves on his list of preferred landing spots, and with another superstar in Anthony Edwards situated there, it is easy to see why he would be enthralled with the prospect of moving to the West.
Having said that, Minny would have to part with significant assets to even get the Bucks to engage them on a trade. As mentioned, they are already working to reel in other teams to improve their trade offer for Giannis which, as can be inferred, would require them to have numerous moving pieces from a salary standpoint.
The 76ers are not exactly teeming in cap space right now, but they have one of the more well-rounded payrolls in the league from a salary-matching standpoint. With some more wiggle room, they should have sufficient airspace to take in contracts, although the Wolves (or another team) would have to pay them upfront to take on that role.
So far, Philly has been quite in the trade market, but expect that to change in the coming hours. It might not be the kind of active participation people normally expect from the 76ers brain trust, but serving this kind of role would also benefit them in the short run.
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