JJ Redick, the former sharpshooter for the Philadelphia 76ers, is advocating for a change in direction for the team. Despite the resolution of the James Harden saga in late October, the Sixers remain in the spotlight three games into the 2023-2024 NBA season.
Daryl Morey, the team’s President of Basketball Operations, had expressed the desire for an All-Star caliber player in exchange for Harden. This signaled the need for multiple moves to achieve the Sixers’ ultimate goal in this saga.
The first step has been completed, involving the acquisition of four veteran role players and draft assets in exchange for James Harden, PJ Tucker, and Filip Petrusev. While one might anticipate the Sixers pursuing another major trade to pair a veteran star with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, JJ Redick suggests a different approach. Instead of targeting an All-Star talent, Redick proposes that the Sixers focus on acquiring a high-impact role player for their team.
A Look at Redick’s Theory
The Sixers have been linked to two types of players after parting ways with Harden. As long as Tyrese Maxey continues to hoop like an All-Star, Chicago Bulls forward Zach LaVine would catapult the Sixers into the “superteam” category.
Then there’s the OG Anunoby/Alex Caruso tier, which includes two players who aren’t All-Star candidates but are known to have a huge influence in their roles.
This time around, Redick prefers the latter path for the Sixers.
In discussing the hypothetical scenario involving potential trades for Alex Caruso and OG Anunoby, JJ Redick highlights the difference between out-of-season and in-season moves. According to Redick, the compatibility of Caruso and Anunoby within the team’s offensive hierarchy would be seamless, offering immediate contributions on both ends of the court. He emphasizes that making in-season blockbuster trades for star players is often challenging due to the limited time to integrate new elements before the playoffs.
Redick reflects on the Sixers’ history of in-season trades during his tenure, particularly the acquisitions of Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris in the 2018-2019 season and James Harden in the 2021-2022 season. Despite the star power added, both instances resulted in second-round playoff exits for the team. Redick suggests that the team might benefit from a different approach, focusing on enhancing the current roster rather than making significant changes that could affect the offensive dynamics.
He encourages enjoying the success of the current Sixers team, which has been performing exceptionally well. Redick suggests that the team should consider how to build upon their existing strengths rather than pursuing another star player. Whether approaching the trade deadline or the offseason, Redick believes the Sixers have flexibility and should explore options like Caruso or Anunoby, emphasizing that his perspective is not a critique of players like Zach LaVine or Pascal Siakam.
As the Sixers continue their winning streak, Redick acknowledges that there is still a lot of basketball to be played. The team’s current success and flexibility provide them with various possibilities to consider as they navigate a crucial year in their campaign.
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