Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Ben Simmons (LSU) reacts as he walks off stage after being selected as the number one overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Rumors are swirling about the Los Angeles Lakers targeting Paul George. The Philadelphia 76ers could benefit by being a trade partner for the Lakers and Pacers

For the last four years, April through June is speculation season for Philadelphia 76ers fans. How could the lottery go? Who is Sam Hinkie going to target? Will he pull off any trades? Simmons or Ingram? Will Bryan Colangelo make a team process-ending draft day move or free agency signing? Fans hang onto every end of year news conference quote, every whisper of a superstar who seems disgruntled, every mock draft and every spin of the Tankathon lottery wheel.

This year is no different, and the stakes have never been higher for the Sixers. The process, while still alive and well, especially in Joel Embiid, has entered the building phase. Everyone is curious which players the front office will choose to construct the roster. Because the Sam Hinkie era created so many options, how those players will be acquired is even more fascinating. This is because I don’t believe anyone thinks “Man of Action” Bryan Colangelo will only use the draft to add talent to the team. More trades and free agents are on the horizon.

With that in mind, I came across an interesting article on Siver Screen and Roll.

Shown in that piece, Magic Johnson didn’t believe the Lakers had a player to build around. This could indicate that everyone on the roster is expendable. The article warned Lakers fans not to press the panic button yet. But Magic has not come out since to refute these statements.

In a recent article in the Sporting News, which I encourage reading, Mitch Lawrence found a quote of Magic saying the following: “The Lakers have always had a superstar,” Johnson told AM 570 LA Sports with Roggin and Rodney. “That is what we are going to try to bring in here.” Mitch also goes out of his way to bring up a recent Magic appearance on Jimmy Kimmel indicating that Paul George could be that star the Lakers go after. Mitch advises the Lakers to avoid pursuing George, but that might not stop Magic.

George Coming Home

In light of the recent sweep of Pacers by the Cavaliers, Paul George has not been quiet about his displeasure with his current situation. Rumors have been swirling connecting George to the Lakers all season. Additionally, Mitch Lawrence, in that same April 24th article, indicates that George has been thinking about the Lakers for years. Mitch refers to those sentiments here:

A SoCal native, he’s been talking about playing for his hometown team, the Lakers, for a long time. He’s never made his long-term intentions a secret within the Pacers’ locker room, according to former teammates. He wants to wear the purple and gold. – Mitch Lawrence, Sporting News, April 24th

This means Indiana could risk losing PG-13 to free agency after next season. In the same way, Los Angeles is risking George getting ensnared by another team. This could open trade opportunities for the Sixers, who are not short on draft assets or cap space. Whereas, the Lakers do not exactly have an abundance of either thanks to the Steve Nash and Dwight Howard trades and the Mozgov and Deng signings.

Since it is speculation season, let’s dive into a three-way trade where the Sixers could pry some assets from the Lakers and Pacers. I have ruled out the possibility of the Sixers trading for Paul George outright because I find it very unrealistic that he would re-sign with the Philadelphia, rendering a trade for him less logical. The Lakers at least have a fighting chance.

The Deal

Crafting this trade was really tricky. It presupposes that the Lakers pick does not convey to the Sixers this year. Additionally, it also assumes the Pacers do not like the Lakers’ players besides Ingram as building blocks and want to acquire more draft assets to build around. And due to the nature of the draft assets being thrown around, I see this as most likely a draft day trade.

Side Note: Gerald Henderson was included in the deal to make salaries work. I believe he can be traded if his option is picked up by the Sixers before the draft. He becomes an expiring contract of sorts.

Editing Note:

Previously the 2017 Lakers top 3 pick was included in this article. The “Stepien Rule” which prohibits any team from being without its first round pick 2 years in a row, may invalidate the exchange if the top 3 pick is included. For the sake of caution, the draft considerations and subsequent rationale for the trade have been updated.

The Pacers Get:

From the Lakers: SF – Luol Deng, SF Brandon Ingram, 2017 1st round Pick from Houston (28)

From the Sixers C – Jahlil Okafor, SG – Gerald Henderson, 2018 Lakers Pick

The Lakers Get:

From the Pacers: SF – Paul George, SG – Monta Ellis, 2017 2nd round pick from Indiana (47)

From the Sixers: 2017 2nd round pick from Dallas (36)

The Sixers Get:

From the Pacers: Thaddeus Young

From the Lakers: D’Angelo Russell

Why The Pacers do the Deal:

Blow it all up. The Pacers shed their top three salaries from this past year. Although they take on Luol Deng, they come out ahead on long-term cap space. Henderson’s money is only on the books for one year, and Okafor, who they were rumored to be interested i around the trade deadline, can at least be a cheaper backup center when they move on from Al Jefferson. Lastly, Thad Young and Monta Ellis move in the trade as well, removing $24 million from their cap.

Overall, this deal allows the Pacers to rebuild around Brandon Ingram, Myles Turner, two 2017 1st round picks, and the 2018 Lakers Pick. Another silver lining is that the Pacers will be in a better position in the 2018 lottery due to the roster shakeup. With the additional 2017 and 2018 draft assets, this allows the Pacers front office to redirect decisions on how to restock the team instead of taking on more castoffs from the Lakers.

Why the Lakers do the deal?

Star power. As previously noted, Magic Johnson wants a star in Los Angeles. Paul George fits the bill. Magic did not draft any of the young players on the roster, so he will be less attached to their futures on the team. They retain Julius Randle, Ivica Zubac and Jordan Clarkson so the cupboard is not completely bare.

The downside of this trade is that they lose both Russell and Ingram, their top two prospects. However, they can add star potential in Josh Jackson, Lonzo Ball or Markelle Fultz with the top 3 pick this year. By keeping the 2017 Top 3 pick and adding two 2nd round picks from the Pacers and Sixers, the Lakers could still retain more value in a deep draft.

Between getting out from under the Luol Deng contract, very significant to their ability to add talent via free agency long term, and inserting George on the team, I think it is worth it. George can get more dollars and more years with the Lakers, making it more likely he will re-signing than by testing free agency.

Lastly, the Lakers have been spent four seasons under thirty wins. Continuing to build around a newly drafted rookies could keep the timeline for competitiveness as another two to three years down the line while Ingram and Russell develop. I think the Laker front office might not want to wait that long. Paul George could come on the court and reclaim the Laker brand as the top dog in Los Angeles, especially if Chris Paul should leave the Clippers in the offseason.

Why the Sixers do the Deal?

A couple of priorities are met here in the Sixers trade. The center logjam is put to rest. Okafor gets a change of scenery and Richaun Holmes get the space to grow behind Joel Embiid.

Secondly, Bryan Colangelo spoke about getting another power forward to play in front of, behind or maybe, if Brett Brown wants to experiment, alongside Dario Saric. Thaddeus Young can defend multiple positions, and occasionally, he can stretch the floor as well. In 2016-2017, he made 38.7 percent of his 119 3-point attempts. He is much more versatile than Ersan Ilyasova, and is only 29 heading into next year. The $14.2 million a year that Thad makes is not too crippling and allows Sixers to still go after a max free agent.

The Sixers also add the controversial D’Angelo Russell, who might need a change of scenery to flourish as well. He could develop alongside the rest of the young roster. Trading for Russell also gives the Sixers more options in the 2017 draft. If Colangelo feels the best player available at pick 4 or 5 is Jayson Tatum or Jonathan Isaac, then Russell provides depth at the guard spot. This allows Colangelo to address wing at the top of the draft.

The 2018 Lakers pick and 2nd round pick form the Mavs may seem like a hefty price to pay, but with Paul George and a potential max free agent coming into LA, the pick is down in value and the Sixers have three other 2nd round picks.

I am in no way going to believe that this trade is likely to happen, but it is very fun to speculate about. It is the least fans can do while waiting for the draft lottery to set off a whole other set of possibilities.