Sixers doing ‘due diligence’ on Zach LaVine

Now that the first ever NBA In-Season Tournament is over, the next order of business on the NBA calendar will be Christmas Day and then the trade deadline.

When the NBA Trade market heats up, Shams Charania of The Athletic expects the Sixers to be active in talks for Bulls guard Zach LaVine. According to Charania, the Bulls, who have won four games in a row with out LaVine, are expected to gauge interest in the guard. 

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He is expected to miss three-to-four more weeks with a foot injury.

Charania lists two teams that could move in on a deal for LaVine.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are expected suitors for LaVine, but both are operating from positions of patience and due diligence.

The Sixers are currently 14-7 entering play on Monday night against the Wizards, but have been a much better with with Kelly Oubre Jr. in the lineup.  The team is 9-1 when Oubre plays and just 5-6 when he is out.  Oubre missed 11 games with a rib injury.

Now that he is back, the team seems to be adding more offensive punch, but their defense has been an issue - something LaVine will not help fix.

LaVine is a dynamic offensive player, but not a great defensive player.  Do they Sixers need more creative scoring?  Than LaVine could be a good addition.  if you think they need better perimeter defense, then maybe they should look elsewhere.

So Sixers fans, is LaVine the right piece to add to the Sixers puzzle, or should they pass and look for another player to add to the roster?

The NBA Trade Deadline is Thu, Feb 8, 2024