Night owls in the Philadelphia area are awake to learn that a much anticipated Sixers trade has gone down. Elton Brand has acquired some much needed offensive firepower off the bench in what is expected to be the first of at least two moves prior to the NBA trade deadline. The team is currently 31-20 and in a grueling slump that includes embarrassing Eastern Conference losses to Boston and Miami on the road. The preseason hype of the Sixers perhaps running the East have so far fallen well short, to say the least.
While this trade isn’t a blockbuster by any stretch, it provides the Sixers with help at much needed areas.
Robinson III, who some may remember as a process era Sixer back in the 2014-15 season, is still only 25 years old. Burks is a 28 year old who was a key contributor off the bench in Utah over his first 7.5 years. They add exactly what the Sixers need off the bench, which is perimeter shooting. Robinson is shooting 40% from deep on the year while Burks is at 37.5%.
Now, what did the Sixers have to pay for the duo?
The Sixers are giving up three second round picks in the trade but all are expected to be later seconds. The team still owns two high seconds this year with Atlanta and New York as well as the Knicks 2021 second. Those picks could still be moved, but it’s good to see they weren’t forced out in this trade.
Basically, this Sixers trade was able to net some much needed help in the current season while not running through valuable assets that could be needed this summer.
The acquisitions of Robinson and Burks has also left the Sixers with a bit of a roster crunch. If another Sixers trade doesn’t go down by the 3PM deadline, they will have to waive two players. Mike Scott, Raul Neto, Zhaire Smith and Jonah Bolden are a few names to keep an eye on as the deadline approaches.