The Philadelphia 76ers’ misfortune might be the stroke of luck the Lakers need. At 7-15, their season is in the dumps, and the pairing of Paul George with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey simply has not worked out. George, a nine-time All-Star, is averaging a woeful 16 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season while shooting 32.1% from 3-point range. The Sixers, if they’re smart, will lean into rookie Jared McCain as a franchise piece moving forward and try to rebuild around him, Maxey, and Embiid amid a potentially lost season.
Should the rumors be true about the Lakers willing to part with Austin Reaves, then Rob Pelinka can dangle some very real assets in front of the Sixers’ face. By offering D’Angelo Russell’s expiring contract, along with Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood and a 2029 first-round pick, the money is balanced enough for the Lakers to ask for George, Ricky Council IV and Jeff Dowtin Jr. (two-way).
With Reaves as a long-term piece in the City of Brotherly Love, the Sixers can have a backcourt unit of him, Maxey and McCain, use Embiid (when healthy) at center and have a rotating cast at power forward, with Hachimura offering a defensive upgrade.
The Lakers, meanwhile, lose two ball handlers in Reaves and Russell but could use James and George in the backcourt with Davis down low, finally giving the franchise the big three it has dreamed of. The deal would slash the Lakers’ future to a degree, but if George can find his footing on his fifth team, the Lakers will surge up the standings.
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