The Vertical Front-Office Insider Bobby Marks, a 20-year executive with the Nets, breaks down the Philadelphia 76ers' situation as Thursday's trade deadline approaches.

HANG UP IF THEY ASK ABOUT ...

Own first-round pick



Even in an average draft, having a top-three pick holds tremendous value. Especially because the lottery in May will determine if the 76ers land a player like Ben Simmons.



Lakers' first-round pick

Best case for Philadelphia would be for this pick to carryover to 2017. This pick will have more value this summer than it will now. The early projections call for the draft class of 2017 to be very strong.



Sacramento trade conditions

The conditions from the July trade with Sacramento are detailed in the section with draft picks. Based on the uncertainty of the Kings' roster, Philadelphia needs to hold onto this and allow it to collect interest.



SMALL BODY OF WORK

Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor



As we have seen since this past December, good things happen when Noel and Okafor play with an average point guard. There is not enough of a body of work on either player to put them on the open market. With a talent upgrade this summer, both players' value will only increase.



Nerlens Noel (AP) More

WORTH TALKING ABOUT

Oklahoma City and Miami first-round picks



Both picks are currently projected to be the 20s with the Miami pick holding the best value at No. 21. There is a strong market to move one of these picks, especially because a number of teams are without a first-round pick in June. Factor in a below-average draft, and if the Sixers can bring back an established player in a deal, then they should look into it.



Rest of the Team

Philadelphia is not under the gun to move any of its bench pieces but should listen if something makes sense. Small forward Robert Covington has the most appeal with his contract and play on the court.



MOVE THAT PUSHES THE NEEDLE

Could this be the deadline when Philadelphia acquires talent instead of just assets?



Although no trade pushes Philadelphia to front of the line, a move to obtain a quality starting point guard could be the first step going into the offseason.

NO-TRADE CLAUSE OR WITH A RESTRICTION

Elton Brand



Because Brand was signed in early January, he cannot be traded. League rules state that a player who signs a contract after Sept. 15 cannot be traded for six months.



Ish Smith

Because Ish Smith was acquired from New Orleans on Dec. 24 he is ineligible to be aggregated in any trade. There is a two-month waiting period for players obtained in trades. Smith, however, can be traded alone.



TREASURE CHEST OF PICKS

Aside from the below-mentioned picks, Philadelphia also owns the draft rights to former lottery selection Dario Saric as well as Joel Embiid, who has been sidelined his first two years with an injury.

Philadelphia has its own first-round pick, projected to be in the top three.

The Lakers will send the 76ers a first-round pick, if it falls outside of the top three of the lottery.

For taking on JaVale McGee's money, Philadelphia has Oklahoma City's first-round pick, projected to be in the late 20s. The Thunder had traded this pick to Cleveland in the Dion Waiters deal. Denver obtained it when it traded Timofey Mozgov to the Cavaliers.

As part of facilitating the Kevin Love trade to Cleveland, the 76ers have the Heat's first-round pick, protected Nos. 1-10. Cleveland obtained this pick in the LeBron James trade to Miami in 2010. It is likely that this pick will change hands at the end of the season.

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