In the past two years, midseason trade or buyout acquisitions have significantly helped the Sixers find success. But after a major makeover of the roster this offseason, it’s unlikely that Brett Brown’s team will be in the hunt for the types of blockbusters they pulled off last season for Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris. We should, however, expect a move or two along the margins — especially considering that general manager Elton Brand is armed with incoming second-round picks that could facilitate some swaps.

It’s never too early to speculate a bit, so here are some names to earmark for later in the season.

Trade candidates

First, a brief explainer is needed for why the Sixers are limited in whom they can acquire in a trade. Simply put, they don’t have many tradable contracts.

Last year, the Sixers were rife with salaries in the $8-12 million range (Jerryd Bayless, Robert Covington, Wilson Chandler, Markelle Fultz), which are useful in matching incoming salaries for trades. This year — aside from Ben Simmons, Josh Richardson and Mike Scott — every player on the roster makes either more than $27 million or less than $3 million. That makes the 76ers a difficult trade partner, unless, of course, they’re willing to part ways with one of Simmons, Richardson or Scott. The trade deadline is 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 6. Now, on to the players.

Bryn Forbes: A Sixers-Spurs trade involving Forbes would make sense for both sides. The Spurs’ backcourt is overfilled with guards who figure to soak up playing time (besides Forbes, there’s DeMar DeRozan, Patty Mills, Derrick White, Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker IV and Marco Belinelli), and Forbes’ expiring contract makes him a logical choice to be traded. Forbes makes $2.8 million, so the Sixers could avoid including Scott (who’s due $4.7 million this season) in a potential deal. A swap of Jonah Bolden plus picks for Forbes would work, salary-wise.

It is possible, of course, that the Spurs have no interest in trading Forbes, as the Michigan State product is only 26 and started all but one game for San Antonio last season. But if he becomes available, the Sixers should have interest. An excellent shooter (42.6 percent from deep last season) who can play either guard position, Forbes can create offense in a pinch. Likely having to give up a couple of second-round picks for a rental would be difficult, but if Trey Burke and Raul Neto prove untenable, Forbes could be a major upgrade.

Reggie Bullock was traded to the Lakers in February. The Knicks signed the 28-year-old this summer. (Jeff Hanisch / USA Today)

Reggie Bullock: Bullock is another sharpshooting guard in an overcrowded backcourt with a salary ($4 million) the Sixers could acquire without giving up Scott. While Bullock just signed a two-year deal with New York over the summer, the tanking Knicks could become open to shipping him elsewhere in exchange for a pick or two. The same framework as the Forbes deal — Bolden, plus a couple of second-round selections — could get the deal done.

Over the past few years, Bullock, 28, has made a living as an off-screen shooter — which the Sixers, of course, lack. Another added bonus of trading for the former first-round pick from UNC is that he is under contract through the 2021 season for a reasonable $4.2 million.

Fred VanVleet: We’ve arrived at the section with players who could only be acquired by giving up Scott. To be clear, I’m not advocating for trading Scott. The Sixers should only consider these options if they’re in desperate need of guards. But if they are, there could be some quality options.

Chief among them is VanVleet, a key element to Toronto’s first-ever championship. While the stars aren’t likely to align for a trade — this type of move is only possible if the Raptors bottom out and look to sell spare parts to ignite a rebuild — the 25-year-old VanVleet would be a perfect fit on this Sixers team. He could play with or without Simmons, while defending quick point guards and knocking down shots.

A framework of Scott, Bolden, Furkan Korkmaz and multiple picks for VanVleet (due $9.3 million this season) and shooter Matt Thomas (roughly $900,000) would work, salary-wise. Again, this is quite a long shot for a multitude of reasons, but the possibility is interesting to consider.

E’Twaun Moore: Moore is another quality combo guard, but he is far more likely to be available via trade than VanVleet. The Pelicans are drowning in a sea of starting-quality guards, and Moore’s expiring contract makes him expendable.

Moore is an above-average defender and an accurate, while not prolific, shooter — he’s shot above 42 percent from deep in three of the past four seasons. He can play either guard position, as Basketball Reference lists him as having played 40 percent of his minutes at point guard last season, compared to 55 percent at shooting guard. A similar framework of Scott plus Bolden and a second-round pick for Moore (owed $8.6 million) would work, logistics-wise.

Buyout candidates

Tyler Johnson: The Suns figure to once again be bottom-feeders, and Johnson and his $19 million salary aren’t likely to be traded. With the addition of Ricky Rubio, Phoenix could be willing to waive Johnson once its faint playoff hopes are squashed in order to tank and allow for the potential emergence of some young guards off the bench.

If he is available, Johnson would be an upgrade over Neto and Burke for the backup point guard minutes. The undrafted 27-year-old has always been a strong shooter, solid defender and capable playmaker in the pick-and-roll.

Brandon Knight: I’m not sure how much Knight has left, but he’s as likely a buyout candidate as there is on this list. On an expiring $15 million contract, Knight is on a rebuilding Cleveland team filled with young guards like Kevin Porter Jr. and Darius Garland who need reps.

Knight, who turns 28 in December, has been ravaged by injuries throughout his career and missed all of 2017-18 with an ACL tear. Coming off that injury last year, he looked like a shell of his former self. But at the very least, Knight theoretically fits well on the Sixers, as the 2011 No. 8 overall pick is a decent shooter who can create off the dribble. The Kentucky product isn’t much of an upgrade over Neto or Burke, but if both of those players quake, it could be worth bringing in Knight.

Former second-round pick Allen Crabbe turned 27 in April. (Dan Hamilton / USA Today)

Allen Crabbe: On an expiring deal, Crabbe finds himself in a very crowded Atlanta guard/wing rotation. Especially if they’re removed from playoff contention, the Hawks could be motivated to move the 27-year-old Crabbe, though they likely won’t be able to trade him due to his $18.5 million salary.

I don’t fancy myself much of a Crabbe fan, but the 2013 second-rounder is an accurate shooter with some off-screen ability. At the very least, he’d be an upgrade over Korkmaz.

Courtney Lee: Lee, who was traded in late January from the Knicks to the Mavericks in the Kristaps Porzingis deal that also included Burke, had a dismal year last season. Now, with an abundance of young guards and wings, Dallas might be willing to part with the 34-year-old veteran — especially if they’re outside of the playoff picture.

Despite shooting just 29 percent last season, Lee has been an above-average shooter in his career. He’s also been a stingy defender with quick feet and active hands. Last year could have been the sign of an impending decline, but if Lee gets bought out, the Sixers should take a flier.

C.J. Miles: A miserable cold slump kept Miles out of the rotation in — and subsequently got him traded from — Toronto last season, but the 32-year-old has long been a quality, on-the-move shooter with a lightning-quick release.

Especially if Washington decides to unload Bradley Beal and kickstart a major rebuild, Miles is a logical buyout candidate. His ability to run around screens would make him a nice spark plug off the Sixers’ bench, as he’s arguably the best off-screen shooter on this list.

(Top photo of Fred VanVleet: Dan Hamilton / USA Today)