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All-Star weekend can mean different things to a whole lot of people. For the players, its a care-free weekend of fun and some lackadaisical basketball. For general managers like Sam Hinkie, it's more work than play. The NBA's trade deadline is now less than three days away, and one can only imagine Hinkie is down in New Orleans chatting up every front office member in site.
In fact, that's what Keith Pompey of Philly.com seems to be reporting. Here's what Pompey had to say:
The franchise wants to gain future compensation in exchange for Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes, and Thaddeus Young, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. With the most cap space in the league and an open roster spot, the Sixers will consider acquiring an expiring contract from a team looking to dump a salary. But that most likely will also involve receiving a draft pick.
As a result, the 76ers are believed to be the most active team in trade talks leading up to the deadline. The Sixers have had discussions with all 29 other NBA franchises.
It's been clear that the Sixers three biggest assets are the aforementioned, but the team still seems unlikely to move Young in any deal unless completely blown away. We reported last week that the Sixers current plan is to hold onto the Georgia Tech product for the time being, and attempt to move him leading up to the June draft. Fox Sports Ohio's Sam Amico reports that the San Antonio would "love" to get their hands on Young, but that seems highly unlikely.
San Antonio has few assets (they sure as hell would not want to move Kawhi Leonard if they are trying to add pieces), and likely not enough salary cap space to make a deal plausible.
The Spurs have been persistent in trying to bring in players for a playoff run, and they've been especially interested in Philadelphia's trade pieces. San Antonio inquired about a Hawes and Turner package last month, and a source says the two teams have been in contact frequently. Turner's most likely suitor, however, seems to be the Charlotte Bobcats. There's been a lot of smoke (but no fire) coming from multiple Charlotte media outlets.
A Turner for Ben Gordon and Portland's 2014 first round pick would certainly get the job done and if that deal had already been presented to Philadelphia, it's hard to believe Turner would still be wearing a Sixers uniform today. He seems most likely to be a goner come Friday.
Spencer Hawes still seems like a top notch rentable big man, and I would expect a handful of Western Conference teams to inquire about his services. Grantland's Zach Lowe linked the Los Angeles Clippers to Hawes as a team who could still use a backup big man.
What might be Philadelphia's greatest asset is the $11 million in cap room they have, enough to save a team from paying the luxury tax. Lowe also mentioned the Clippers as a team Hinkie could help bailout, taking on the salary of Jared Dudley, and a sweetener in a guy like Reggie Bullock or a pick.
There's one thing for certain, and it's that Sam Hinkie will continue to facilitate a deal until he no longer can.
If you cannot get enough trade talk, catch Jake Fischer, Roy Burton, and myself in the inaugural edition of the Liberty Ballers Hoops Hangout.
