The eastern conference is wide open, and there is a good chance this is the last opportunity Sixers will have to make a run with Embiid/George.

This trade will help blend the two timelines by making them more competitive now but also by adding guys that can grow with Maxey and VJ.

THE CLIPPERS PICKS: I know many Sixers fans are refusing to move the clippers picks with the Kawhi situation hanging over the clippers right now. But I really think this might be the most valuable they’ll ever be. Sure Clippers likely won’t have Harden or Kawhi by then but every team is starving for cap space and LA will be top destination for free agents. I don’t think they’ll ever really be a bottom team.

Jalen Smith should be a perfect fit between George and Embiid. He does a lot of the stuff thats made Barlow so useful to the Sixers, but he’s also a better rebounder, better at playing small ball 5, and a much much better shooter. Hes also 25 and can be a useful part of the team for the foreseeable future.

Swapping Grimes for Dosunmu is a bit unnecessary from a roster construction perspective but is necessary to make the salary work here. They’re both 26 on expiring contracts and making a similar amount. Grimes is a bit better as a defender and rebounder but Dosunmu is an elite shooter.

POST TRADE MOVES: sending out 4 players and getting 2 back puts the Sixers roster at 12 players. Which gives them 3 spots to give to Dominic Barlow, Jabari Walker and Charles Bassey. I’d also look to add Gaurd(s) on their newly open two-way spots.

Sixers lineup Maxey/Edgecombe/George/Smith/Embiid McCain/Dosunmu/Oubre/Barlow/Bassey Lowry/Edwards/Watford/Walker/Bona