The Sixers need another second unit shooter and some depth at the power forward position.

With the March 25th trade deadline on the horizon, they’re reportedly taking a look at Nemanja Bjelica, according to Sam Amick at The Athletic. 

He writes:

“Nemanja Bjelica, who has been out of Walton’s rotation since Jan. 9 and appears likely to be on the move. The Sixers, who have long been tied to Hield in terms of interest, are known to be among the teams who are considering the 32-year-old forward who has shot 39 percent from three-point range in his six seasons.”

This is the same Bjelica who verbally agreed to join the Sixers a few years ago, on a one-year deal, but decided to go back to Europe instead, only to change his mind and return to the NBA with the Kings on a better deal than what Philadelphia was offering. As a result, the Sixers turned to Mike Muscala instead.

Water under the bridge, it would seem. Brett Brown is no longer here and Elton Brand isn’t making the moves.


Bjelica hasn’t played much this season, but he shot better than 40% from three from 2017 to 2020. He’s a floor spacer, a stretch four who also played center minutes in Sacramento, and can add some depth behind Tobias Harris at power forward, where the Sixers really only have Mike Scott right now. Doc Rivers has had to juggle lineups to accommodate for that, and Dwight Howard has left something to be desired as the backup center in February.

It makes a lot of sense on paper. The Sixers bench had a poor game in Portland and they could use reinforcements for the second half of the season.