How do 76ers deal with the Tanhua Tag? Can exchange No. 7 draw with the Pelicans. If you keep the Titanhua sign, you can trade George

(The original article was published on June 24, and the author is an NBA expert group on ESPN website. The content of the article does not represent the translator's views)

After signing All-Star player Paul George last summer and entering this season with his championship ambition, the 76ers are about to usher in a critical offseason. They hold the Tanhua lottery for this year's draft, and this team, which has only won 24 wins and 58 losses this season, faces many major issues.

The first problem is Embiid, the star who played only 19 games this season underwent arthroscopy of his left knee a few months ago. With the injury of Celtic Tatum (right Achilles tendon ruptured) making the Eastern Conference more open than expected next season, the Sixers will think they have a window to compete for the championship, but the premise is that Embiid must stay healthy rather than barely play with injuries. Next is Paul George, the star who left the Clippers as a maximum free agent, was also troubled by injuries and performed less than expected in his first season with the Sixers. After experiencing this frustrated season, can he regain the peak state that people expected 12 months ago?

If these premises can be achieved, the 76ers will become a strong contender for the Eastern Conference champion. But whether this goal can be achieved is perhaps the biggest unknown in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers management also needs to solve the problem of staying and leaving restricted free agent Grimes and full free agent Abussele. As two of the team's most impressive performances this season, they will inevitably trigger pursuits from other teams after they play highlights.

However, the top priority is that 76ers need to make exquisite decisions for the Tanhua Mark in their hands. They also won a valuable No. 35 pick (first part of the second round) through a Caleb Martin deal in February, and this draft pick is expected to add another player with the potential to become a lineup puzzle. ——Tim Bontemps

76ers should choose in the draft?

76ers not only lucked in the lottery to save this year's first round draw, but also jumped to the Tanhua lottery, with the opportunity to add an important talent to the lineup. After analyzing with ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony, we currently predict that Baylor scoring guard VJ Edgecom is the most likely candidate for the Tanhua, the rookie has become the leader after receiving positive feedback from the Sixers’ trial.

While there is a possibility that other teams will trade upwards, the Sixers should also be open to plans to create additional value using the draft pick. But after a difficult season plagued by injuries, the 76ers management should consider it more in the long run and directly choose the rookie with the most potential in this ranking.

Edgecomb demonstrates great potential as a goal-holding defender with his explosive power and impact defense. Although the 76ers do not urgently need reinforcement in this position, he has the potential to become the cornerstone of the team building, and his outstanding hidden traits (such as professional attitudes, etc.) also add a lot of points to him. At present, the league generally believes that choosing Edgecomb is more secure than Es Bailey, who seems to be slightly inferior to the competition for the Tanhua Show.

As for the No. 35 pick, although the 76ers don't have much choice, they should ideally target players who can immediately increase the depth of the lineup. Given Embiid's frequent injuries, it would be a reasonable choice to choose experienced college players like Ryan Calke Brenner to enrich the inside rotation. ——Jeremy Woo

76ers can consider two trading plans

Plan 1: Use the Tanhua lottery to exchange for the No. 7 draw

76ers won: No. 7 draw, Herbert Jones

Pelicans won: No. 7 draw, Kelly Oubre

In this trading plan, the 76ers lowered the Tanhua lottery to No. 7 draw, but got the first team member of the 2023-24 season's All-Defensive Lineup - Herbert Jones, although he only played 20 games due to a labrum torn this season. Herbert Jones, who has a career utilization rate of only 14%, has limited contributions on the offensive end (the 42% three-point shooting percentage in 2023-24 is more like a flash in the pan, and his opponent will still short his jump shots today), but his single-defense ability on the outside will be crucial to the 76ers who are under-height in the backcourt (with Maxi and McCain).

The 76ers ranked 26th in the league in defensive efficiency this season, setting a record for the worst since the "Believe Process" era. This is not entirely due to the bad strategy at the end of the season. Their defensive efficiency was ranked 23rd before the All-Stars weekend. The introduction of Herbert Jones and Embiid will significantly improve this shortcoming.

Whether the Pelicans are willing to help the 76ers is unclear. This team, which has performed seriously below expectations this season, has not disclosed the direction of the lineup adjustment. But theoretically, the Pelicans should consider all possibilities, including trading cost-effective players like Herbert Jones ($13.9 million in 2025-26 and $14.9 million in 2026-27). After all, the defensive strongman who will turn 27 in early October may have reached his peak in his career.

According to my draft pick value table based on the output value of the first round of signing from 2000 to 2016, the value gap between the Tanhua lottery and the No. 7 lottery is equivalent to a first round pick with a 20-25 pick. It may be a bit reluctant to let the Pelicans accept such a return, but if the Pelicans think that the Tanhua lottery can choose a potential star who missed the No. 7 pick, the deal will achieve a win-win situation. ——Zach Kram

Plan 2: 76ers trade Paul George

76ers win: Michael Porter Jr., Zick Nagy, Dario Salic

Nuggets win: Paul George

If the 76ers choose to retain the Titanhua lottery, the lineup will face difficulties in upgrading. Currently, only Embiid, Paul George and Maxi are in the team with annual salary of more than 10 million, which means that unless one of the three stars is used, it will be difficult to match the transaction salary.. Given that Embiid and Maxi are basically non-selling products, and Paul George's poor performance in the first quarter of the Sixers led to a shrinking transaction value, why not consider this classic gambling deal without draft picks? Let players who need a new environment swap their bosses.

There have been long-term rumors that the Nuggets are interested in Paul George. In theory, this offense and defense star with both defense and silky three-pointers is perfectly adapted to the Nuggets' small forward position. If the new Nuggets management is determined to compete with the Western Conference rival Thunder through high-risk and high-reward operations, upgrading Porter Jr. to Paul George is a wise choice. Porter Jr.'s development has encountered a bottleneck in the Nuggets, and Paul George's health will bring a higher ceiling if he can recover next season.

For the 76ers, Porter Jr.'s contract amount is lower than Paul George and one year less (counted as Paul George's player option for the 2027-28 season), which can enhance future financial flexibility. The three-point shooter with a great body can create offensive space for Maxi and Embiid, and his age is more suitable for Maxi's growth timeline (nearly ten years younger than Paul George). ——Zach Kram

Which solution is more reasonable?

ESPN's salary expert Bobby Marks selected the most feasible trading plan and analyzed its pros and cons:

Bobby Marks: The deal with the Nuggets is the best choice. This three-for-one deal can not only balance the 76ers' lineup structure, but also get rid of the $56.6 million salary that needs to be paid to Paul George in the 2027-28 season.

's trade with the Pelicans can achieve a win-win situation. The Sixers have formulated an "ideal list" with five candidates (Edgecomb, Maluarch, Es Bailey, Trey Johnson and Jeremiah Pheles) before draft week. Even if the pick is moved back four positions, the 76ers still have the chance to choose the center target, and more importantly, Herbert Jones, who can get the best defensive lineup level. The deal is subject to Oubre's choice to execute the $8.4 million player option next season.

Original text: NBA Insiders

Compiled by: Li Taibai

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