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The Philadelphia 76ers’ Markelle Fultz saga has been so fascinating and mysterious for the past two seasons, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly interested in the young guard’s potential.
Right now it seems like the Markelle Fultz era could possibly come to an end according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. According to Sam Amico of Amico Hoops, the Cleveland Cavaliers have started talking to the Sixers about a deal for Fultz. There might be a lot of baggage with him but a Fultz deal could be really good for the Cavs moving forward. Here’s the first trade I propose (which can’t be completed until December 15th):
76ers Get
SG, Kyle Korver C, Alex Len SG, Rodney Hood
Hawks Get
SG, J.R. Smith PG, T.J. McConnell
Cavaliers Get
SG, Markelle Fultz C, Dewayne Dedmon PF, Mike Muscala
Philly would agree to this trade because they lost depth by trading away Robert Covington and Dario Saric in the Jimmy Butler trade. They would add more shooters without giving up any of their key guys on their roster. Rodney Hood could be an ideal fifth guy in Philly’s crunch time lineup with Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Butler, and J.J. Redick.
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Alex Len could be a really good backup for Embiid. Kyle Korver and Redick would be all the sharpshooting the Sixers need in the postseason. I think this trade makes a lot sense for Philly moving forward because they would have a legit nine-man rotation that rivals Boston and Toronto.
The Atlanta Hawks would be the ideal third team in this trade because they might be willing to make McConnell into Trae Young’s backup and they would potentially buyout J.R. Smith soon after the trade is executed; Smith and the Cavs are reportedly “not working on a buyout,” per The Athletic’s Joe Vardon, but would he really have any role with the Hawks?
In addition, they already traded for Carmelo Anthony and bought him out in the offseason.
For the Cavs they’ll be able to fulfill Korver’s promise of being traded if LeBron James left, unload J.R., and make Philly decide on whether they should pay Rodney Hood. The Cavs could end up overpaying Hood or letting him walk away for nothing.
It’s smart to trade him before the February deadline.
