Eagles

Five Sixers Mock Trades at the NBA Deadline

By Sean Barnard

Published: Feb 4th, 2026 · 10:01 AM EST

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The NBA trade deadline is just about here, and it has already been a busy start to the transactions around the league.

To this point, the Sixers have largely stood on the sidelines during this flurry of transactions. I laid out what I believed were fair expectations coming into this deadline stretch, as well as how this outlook has changed slightly since Paul George’s suspension, with some additional financial flexibility.

The first iteration of this article was exclusively bargain bin targets that would accomplish the Sixers’ goal of getting under the luxury tax and pave the way to create standard roster deals for Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker. While this is still a part of the equation, the newfound flexibility from the tax credit allows the Sixers to swing for the fences a bit more.

Here are five mock trade proposals for the Sixers ahead of Thursday’s 3 p.m. deadline. There are more moving parts in the legality of NBA trades than ever before, given the effects of the new CBA. While other trades made by these teams that occurred after the time of writing could impact whether these are even possible, each of these deals was verified on Fanspo’s NBA trade machine.

1. The All-In Push

• Sixers Get:
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Bucks Get:
  • Paul George
  • VJ Edgecombe
  • 2028 Clippers 1st Round Pick

The biggest name that is potentially on the move at this trade deadline is Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP has done his best to speed up the process and force his way out, even if it would be in Milwaukee’s best interest to wait for the offseason for more teams to have flexibility. Examining the current NBA landscape, the quality of offers on the table does not match what the return should be for a top-five player in basketball. If the Sixers are willing to include VJ Edgecombe and one of the Clippers future draft picks, it feels unlikely another team would be able to beat this. Golden State could empty its draft picks and the Heat could put forth an offer centered around Tyler Herro. But Milwaukee has already dug into its future picks pretty heavily, and it does them no good to bottom out as a franchise with Portland in control of most of their future first-round picks from the Damian Lillard trade. Edgecombe is a unique combination of a win-now player with a bright future that no other franchise can truly put on the table. 

Personally, I am incredibly optimistic about what the Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe backcourt could bring, and would not be willing to sacrifice this to further shorten the championship window. However, Daryl Morey is as star-driven as you will find a general manager. He has repeatedly stated how much of an impact these select few elite names make regarding the team’s outlook. Finding a way to put Antetokounmpo on the floor with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey is a thrilling reality and would make the Sixers immediate favorites in the Eastern Conference. All reports indicate the Sixers are showing zero desire to even consider moving on from Edgecombe, but I also find it hard to believe if Morey can put forth the best offer to add one of the top five players in basketball that he would keep his cards in his hand.

2. The Other Bucks Forward

• Sixers Get:
  • Bobby Portis
• Bucks Get:
  • Quentin Grimes
  • Andre Drummond
  • 2030 Sixers First Round Pick

If Milwaukee is truly blowing it up, the fire sale should extend beyond just Antetokounmpo. Bobby Portis is a perfect complementary piece on a contending team who plays with a toughness and physicality that Philadelphia would rally behind. The 11-year veteran is averaging 13.2 points and 6.7 rebounds this season, while shooting 45.2% on three-point attempts. The Sixers have failed to pair Joel Embiid with a true power forward for too large a portion of his career. This has become increasingly important given that Embiid’s impact on rebounding the basketball has decreased in recent years. Pairing Portis with Embiid would be a massive boost to the Sixers’ rebounding outlook and provides some flexibility for when the former MVP is missing. 

The biggest hurdle in this trade would be that Quentin Grimes has a no-trade clause he would need to waive. By all accounts, Grimes is happy in Philadelphia, but he has not played his best basketball of late, and the resurgence of Jared McCain has scaled back his importance to this team. Grimes’ representation blew the negotiations last offseason in what should have been his biggest payday after he had the best statistical output of his career. He has since changed representation and would have a similar chance to play an increased offensive role on this version of the Bucks as he did last year on the Sixers. It depends on what matters most to him, but there is a case to be made that this would be the best pathway toward Grimes getting his biggest payday. Milwaukee also may want a bit more draft capital for this deal, which shouldn’t be a deal-breaker in my mind.

3. Scraps for an Upgrade

• Sixers Get:
  • Tari Eason
• Magic Get:
  • Eric Gordon
  • 2030 Suns or Trail Blazers Second Round Pick
• Rockets Get
  • Andre Drummond
  • 2030 Sixers First Round Pick

Both the Magic and Rockets are hard-capped at the first apron and limited in deals they can pull off. But each could use some finishing touches on their roster. The Magic made a massive trade for Desmond Bane this offseason, with the hopes that he would solve their perimeter shooting issues. Last season, Orlando shot 31.8% on three-point attempts, which was not only the worst rate in the league, but the worst of any NBA team since the 2015-16 Lakers. They have not been quite as bad this year, but the Magic still rank 25th in the league in three-point attempts per game and 27th in three-point percentage. Taking on Eric Gordon, who has made a career of spacing the floor as a three-point threat, and adding an additional second-round pick is worth taking a chance on and a way to make the money work here. 

The Houston Rockets are at their best when playing their jumbo lineups, where they dominate the rebounding battle. But this outlook took a major hit with Steven Adams suffering a season-ending ankle injury. Houston has been linked to Andre Drummond in trade rumors already, and he is one of the more attainable upgrades at the big man spot. Tari Eason is a bit repetitive in the team’s current roster with players like Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson having similar skillsets. Houston is firmly in the Western Conference mix, and their most successful lineups have been pairing Alperen Sengun with a true center. Getting an additional first-round pick in return should make it worth the swing from the Rockets’ perspective as they look to solidify their win-now intentions.

From the Sixers’ perspective, Tari Eason is the exact type of player they are missing. The LSU product is a disruptive, physical defender who feels destined for a breakout when he sees more significant on-court opportunities on another team. This season with the Rockets, Eason is averaging 24.5 minutes per game and posting averages of 12.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 steals, while shooting 47.9% from beyond the three-point arc. He has grown into a legitimate floor spacing threat, and he has a case for one of the best individual perimeter defenders in the sport. His skillset is worth paying a premium for, and at age 24, he has a chance to be a long-term part of this Sixers organization.

4. Duck the Tax & Upgrade at Backup Center

• Sixers Get:
  • Jay Huff
• Pacers Get:
  • Andre Drummond
  • 2027 Sixers Second Round Pick
  • 2030 Suns or Trail Blazers Second Round Pick

While the Fanspo calculations have not adjusted for the luxury tax credit brought on by the Paul George suspension, the Sixers can accomplish the task of getting under the luxury tax line with just this deal here. Andre Drummond has largely exceeded expectations this season, but his $5 million deal has made him an obvious target, and Nick Nurse has leaned on Adem Bona for the backup center minutes at a more frequent rate of late. Jay Huff would be an upgrade over Drummond and is under team control for the next three seasons. Huff is playing just 19.4 minutes per game for the Pacers, posting averages of 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. The 27-year-old is also a three-point threat that is attempting 4.3 perimeter shots per game and shot over 40% from deep just last year. Huff would be an immediate upgrade at the backup center spot, and there is a pathway to sharing the floor with Embiid. Indiana sits in last place in the Eastern Conference and is ready to turn a page to next year. How they feel about Huff dictates how seriously they would consider this, but adding a pair of second round picks to take on an expiring contract in a gap season feels like wise organizational practice. 

5. Let’s Get Creative and Not Shake Up the Core

Sixers get:

• Saddiq Bey
• Jonathan Mogbo

Pelicans get:

• Andre Drummond
• 2027 second round pick
• 2031 second round pick

Raptors get:

• Eric Gordon
• 2030 second round pick via Suns or Blazers

The framework of this deal is a bit similar to the third trade on here, but with some different partners. The New Orleans Pelicans quietly have some notable talent, but sit in 14th place in the Western Conference with a 13-39 record on the year. Saddiq Bey is not a player who is a part of their long-term core, and this is already his third NBA team after being drafted ahead of the 2020-21 season. The Villanova product has found his NBA footing down in New Orleans, posting averages of 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists this season. Bey would be a solid replacement option for George while he serves his suspension, and could still play a role in the rotation when the team returns to full strength. 

In addition, Jonathan Mogbo is more unproven, but fits the archetype of an athletic, high-motor power forward the Sixers should be targeting. He is playing just 6.6 minutes per game in Toronto this year and is log-jammed in the rotation. He showed more promise last year, averaging 20.4 minutes per game and averaging 6.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, while showing some willingness as a perimeter shooter. Mogbo is raw, but a player worth taking a chance on.

This has turned into a punt year for the Pelicans, and getting a pair of second round picks for a player not a part of the future and an expiring contract is a healthy return. Toronto also needs some help spacing the floor, currently ranking 28th in three-point percentage and 24th in three-point attempts per game. The Raptors sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference and are clearly making an effort to maximize their chances of truly competing. Picking up a second-round pick and a capable three-point shooter is worth the price of a young player who isn’t a part of their regular rotation.

While the biggest theme of this season has been the lack of expectation for this Sixers team, this outlook has shifted as the year progressed. Embiid is healthier and performing at a better level than anyone could have realistically expected, Maxey took another leap, and Edgecombe can contribute right now. The Eastern Conference is wide open, and this Sixers team has enough of a chance that it is worth searching for whatever upgrades are possible. Daryl Morey is also not one to rest on his hands and has pulled off a trade in all five deadlines he has been in charge of the Sixers. Buckle up for some craziness around the NBA, and hopefully, the Sixers are at least somewhat involved.