The Philadelphia 76ers have put the James Harden drama behind them to once again establish themselves as a leading contender in the Eastern Conference.

Led by reigning MVP Joel Embiid and the fast-improving Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia looks a genuine championship threat this season — but is a win-now trade still on the cards?

Team president Daryl Morey had been insistent before the Harden trade that the Sixers would only accept an offer for either a top-tier player in return or “enough draft picks and things like that” which Philadelphia could later “turn into a player who can be a running mate” for Embiid.

 
Joel Embiid is dominating for the Sixers. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
 

Based on recent reports, it seems like there are two potential names at the top of that list — Chicago’s Zach LaVine and Toronto’s OG Anunoby.

“The Sixers are continuing to look at the marketplace because you look at their asset pool — three first-round draft picks they can trade, they have a bunch of contracts — Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum. So Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby — those are two names to keep an eye on as guys that Philadelphia has a level of interest in,” Charania said on FanDuel TV.

The Sixers aren’t alone in their interest in LaVine, with Charania also reporting that the Heat and Lakers are expected to have interest in the out-of-favour Bulls star.

Philadelphia could also receive external interest in one of its own players too, with Charania adding that it is worth “keeping an eye” on Tobias Harris ahead of the trade deadline.

“He’s a guy on the expiring year of his deal, $39 million this season and he’s been the one-two punch at different points. A lot of teams are keeping an eye on him and seeing what exactly happens with him,” Charania said.

By the sounds of it though, the Sixers won’t budge easily when it comes to Harris, with Charania noting the 76ers “want to keep him around” and “know how important he is”.

THE ‘BIGGEST HURDLE’ TO BLOCKBUSTER BULLS-LAKERS MOVE

Speaking of LaVine, the Lakers were reported by The Athletic last month to have “real” interest in the star guard — but, crucially, “at the right price”.

That is consistent with reporting from Jovan Buha and Darnell Mayberry in an update for The Athletic this week, where they discussed where the Bulls and Lakers stand on a potential deal.

Mayberry said that “all signs are pointing to these teams eventually finding common ground on a deal that works for both sides”, although this was not specifically in reference to LaVine.

Rather, as The Athletic also reported last month, the Bulls have more interest in trading for either DeMar DeRozan or Alex Caruso if either player was to be made available.

Mayberry reported that the “biggest hurdle” from Chicago’s side in a potential trade for any of three is the asking price.

 
Zach LaVine is currently sidelined through injury. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
 

“He has a massive contract that will be impossible for him to live up to as long as the Bulls are losing, and with LaVine, the Bulls have been stuck in the mud for the better part of seven seasons,” said Mayberry.

“Now that it’s public knowledge LaVine and the franchise are open to ending their partnership, Chicago doesn’t appear to have a ton of leverage.”

That starts with LaVine’s contract, with the guard now in the second season of a five-year, $215 million deal that plenty of teams around the league would be reluctant to take on.

Mayberry also went on to add that the Bulls front office has “quickly developed a reputation for overvaluing their own in trade discussions”, which he believes could be “the biggest hurdle” to a big trade between Chicago and Los Angeles.

So, what exactly could the Lakers be willing to offer in return that may entice the Bulls to pull the trigger?

Well, Buha said the franchise will be “patient” and use the next “few weeks” to see what kind of upgrades are needed.

What seems much more certain though is the fact that they still would prefer to trade for DeRozan and/or Caruso instead of having to take on a contract like LaVine’s.

DeRozan is on a $28 million expiring deal while Caruso is set to earn $9.5 million this season and $9.9 million next season.

 
The Bulls could target DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Working in LaVine’s favour is the fact he is a client of Klutch Sports, the agency founded by LeBron James’ close friend Rich Paul.

As for who the Lakers could part ways with in a potential trade, Buha reported that for LaVine they “would consider a D’Angelo Russell-centric deal”.

“But I don’t think they’d throw in much more than a combination of salary filler (Rui Hachimura and/or Gabe Vincent), a young prospect (Max Christie or Jalen Hood-Schifino) and a protected pick (2029 or 2030 first rounder),” he added.

“The Lakers would fight to keep Hachimura and Christie, to be clear. But I see that offer on the high end of what they’d be willing to give up.”

In saying that, Buha added that the Lakers would likely only “offer more than a minimum package” if there was legitimate bidding competition from another team.

Buha was also firm in reporting that Austin Reaves was not an option to trade for LaVine.

CAVALIERS NOT RUSHING TO MAKE BIG CHANGES

The Knicks certainly will be at the head of the line if Donovan Mitchell ends up on the trade market again, but the Cavaliers reportedly aren’t ready to move him, even with their mounting injury situation.

The Cavs will be without All-Star point guard Darius Garland and forward Evan Mobley for several weeks, but they “are not prepared to consider” dealing Mitchell, according to Yahoo Sports.

Mitchell, whom the Knicks attempted to obtain in the summer of 2022 before he was traded from Utah to the Cavs, can become a free agent after the 2024-25 season,

The 27-year-old Westchester product was averaging 27.7 points with career highs of 5.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 22 appearances this season entering Wednesday’s game against the Jazz in Cleveland.

The Cavs began the day with a 15-12 record and in the sixth playoff position in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind the Knicks, who were to face the Nets in Brooklyn.

The Knicks, of course, ousted Mitchell and the Cavs in five games in the first round of the playoffs last spring.

 
The Cavaliers aren’t panicking. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
 

According to the Yahoo report, citing league sources, the Cavs maintain a “commitment to this core of four All-Star talents” — Mitchell, Garland, Mobley and 2022 All-Star center Jarrett Allen — “even with all the incessant chatter among rival executives that Mitchell will inevitably bolt when he can reach the unrestricted market in 2025.”

Garland is slated to miss at least four weeks with a facial fracture, while Mobley is expected to be sidelined at least eight weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

The Cavs signed free agents Max Strus and Georges Niang in the offseason, but they will have their depth greatly tested in the interim.

Mobley’s recovery time frame likely puts him out through the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

“My job is to focus on this [team],” Mitchell told reporters this week.

“We have two guys that are out, so I’m not answering anything. And no disrespect. I appreciate that you have to ask the question, but I’m not going there with any of those questions. My focus is on these guys being out, us trying to find a way to get wins.”

Of course, Cleveland mortgaged much of its future in the Mitchell trade, dealing Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps.

 
Donovan Mitchell would be a name in demand if put on the trade block. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
 

“And yet part of the calculus behind paying Utah’s exorbitant price to deal Mitchell was the potential to recoup at least some of the outgoing assets the small-market Cavaliers burned to bring in an All-NBA guard with designs on playing in New York,” Yahoo’s Jake Fischer wrote.

“If the Cavaliers were to put Mitchell on the block tomorrow or in February before the trade deadline or next offseason, there would be a long line of suitors, the Knicks surely among them, willing to compete for his services with competitive offers.”

The Knicks have long coveted the addition of another star player, but they wouldn’t be alone in pursuing Mitchell, with the Nets and the Heat also considered among the top possibilities to land the four-time All-Star guard.

If the Cavs fall out of contention ahead of the deadline, as Fischer wrote, “perhaps they will be holding different internal meetings about the long-term landscape of this franchise.”

The far more likely time for Mitchell to be dealt, however, would be the offseason, especially if he turns down a massive contract extension.