Report: Sixers trade Danuel House Jr. to Pistons

Shortly after striking a deal with the Indiana Pacers for sharpshooter Buddy Hield, the Sixers pulled another lever.

Danuel House Jr. and a 2024 second-round pick via the New York Knicks are going to the Detroit Pistons, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The deal dumps House's expiring $4,310,250 into Detroit's traded player exception, affording the Sixers additional financial relief at the cost of a likely late second-round pick.

Wojnarowski followed up by mentioning that the Sixers could use the financial cushion to pursue veteran guard Kyle Lowry in free agency in the near future, should he secure a buyout from the Charlotte Hornets.

But, the Sixers already had enough space under the first luxury tax apron ($172,346,000) without the House trade to stay clear of the buyout restriction that would be imposed by crossing that threshold. The two trades the Sixers have executed thus far on deadline day - the consolidation deal to land Hield and this House move - have pushed them below the luxury tax line.

The Hield deal is certainly a value-add for little cost. But, if the plan is to add just one player from the buyout market, the House deal simply helps Philadelphia save money and avoid future tax penalties.

Now, if Philadelphia plans to add multiple pieces via the buyout market, then suddenly the House trade becomes less about saving money and more about creating flexibility to facilitate those additions.

If you're a fan, you might be outraged by the idea of the team making a deal to save money. In my eyes, House wasn't exactly an indispensable mechanism on the basketball court, so what does it really matter if moving him saves money?

The Sixers have until 3 p.m., Eastern time, to fortify their team. With Joel Embiid out indefinitely as he recovers from a knee injury, there's work still to be done.