The Philadelphia 76ers were supposed to be heavyweight contenders this season, but to say things haven't gone according to plan would be a vast understatement.
Injuries have caused 76ers superstar Paul George to miss 14 games, and Philly's MVP, Joel Embiid, has basically decided to take the year off.
Rookie Jared McCain exploded onto the NBA scene like a cannonball and was poised to win Rookie of the Year, but then he tore his ACL after 23 games.
Even Tyrese Maxey has missed seven games.
In sum, it's been a lost season for Nick Nurse's ball club, and it's miraculous that they've even won 17 games thus far. Part of the reason is that certain role players have stepped up for Philly like Guerschon Yabusele and Eric Gordon, who are both garnering trade interest.
76ers GM Daryl Morey will be faced with some interesting decisions over the next two weeks, but might he even get bold and gauge market interest for Embiid and George?
Morey's never been afraid to be bold.
Embiid can't be traded until this summer, but George is fully available if Morey makes him available.
On Monday, Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz wondered aloud whether Morey will shop George and Embiid soon.
"The four-year, $211.5 million max contract that Paul George signed last offseason with the Philadelphia 76ers already isn't looking good," Swartz wrote.
"What if I told you that George's megadeal at age 34 wasn't the worst move of the Sixers' offseason, however?"
"In late September, Philly inked Joel Embiid, who was already under contract for two more years (plus a player option), to a new three-year, $192.9 million extension. This brought his total contract to nearly $300 million over the next five years, ending in a $69 million player option during the 2028-29 season when Embiid will turn 35."
"The Sixers likely did this to avoid a Jimmy Butler-Miami Heat situation, although it was both unnecessary and extremely risky given Embiid's durability issues."
"The 76ers need to shift the franchise mindset to building around Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain while testing the market for players like George and Embiid."
"George is eligible to be traded at any time (although a return for him won't be great) whereas Embiid can't be moved until this summer since he signed his extension less than six months ago."
"Don't be surprised to hear whispers of the 76ers gauging the market for their veteran stars as early as this trade deadline."
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