LeBron James just signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, ending his long-winded, drama-filled free agency saga. But now, the Chicago Bulls have a trade idea they need to look out for. Because the Sixers don’t have a great backup center rotation, and the Bulls have Jalen Smith.
Adding James means the Sixers will have plenty of ball-handling and shot creation. So, what if they don’t end up needing Anfernee Simons as much as they thought they did? Joel Embiid is always hurt. And the Sixers’ only backup centers right now are Ariel Hukporti and Adem Bona. Smith would really help them.
Maybe not now. Maybe not until after the season begins. But the Bulls need to keep an eye on a potential Smith trade with Philly.
LeBron James signing with 76ers could open up idea for trade with Bulls
Smith is a quality backup big man who can play the four or five. He’s a decent defender and spaces the floor fairly well. Plus, he’ll be on an expiring contract this upcoming season.
Philly just signed Hukporti to a contract this summer, and Bona showed flashes last year. But with just how much time Embiid usually misses, it feels like the Sixers could stand to add some more talent to their big-man room.
Trading for Smith would be very doable for the Sixers, especially now that James is on the team. The 76ers have more than enough offensive creation on the roster.
Between James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Embiid (when healthy), the Sixers already have a ton of mouths to feed. All of those guys will need the ball in their hands.
Simons is an elite three-point shooter, so the Sixers could still use that part of his game, but if they end up needing a backup center more than Simons’ shooting and creation, look out for the Bulls.
Combining Simons and Dominick Barlow’s salaries would match Smith’s in a deal, and either side could include as many picks as they wanted to get the deal over the finish line.
Chicago would add some nice guard depth, bringing back Simons, who could be a great sixth man for them (or a trade piece next summer). Meanwhile, Philly would add some much-needed big man depth behind its stacked starting five.
Philly will probably want to see how its team does first before making any moves, but the Bulls should keep an eye out, because that’s a trade that could make sense once the season begins. Especially now that the Sixers have a glut of shot creation.
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