By: Kylan Watson

The Philadelphia 76ers entered today’s trade deadline as a team that needed a lot of help, as they are trying to stay afloat without Joel Embiid for the next four-to-eight weeks. They got some offensive help as the Sixers acquired Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield for Marcus Morris, Furkan Korkmaz and three second round picks, along with Cam Payne and a second-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks. Hield fills the shot creator role that Philly has been missing since Embiid went down. Payne brings the veteran ball handler presence, and both can shoot the lights out. This should give Philly the necessary shooting around Tyrese Maxey and Embiid, but they do have three roster spots to fill in the next few weeks. The Sixers’ chances to stay a top six seed in the loaded Eastern Conference have improved with the new acquisitions and skill sets they have added into the building.

After losing last night to the Golden State Warriors. One thing has been apparent to anyone that has watched the Sixers since last week when Embiid went down. They need someone who can create their own shot and is not afraid to hoist it from the three-point line. Hield fits that role. He has been the league’s leading three-point shot maker over the past five seasons, making 40 percent of his three-pointers over that span. Hield currently averages 12.0 points per game, has a 44.5% field goal percentage, and makes 38.4% of his three-pointers, which would make him the second best three-point shooter Philly has behind Tyrese Maxey. Hield has never seen a shot he does not like, and the Sixers can extend him for two more years at around $40-millon dollars per year and keep their estimated $60-million dollars in cap space for this offseason if they want as well. Now opposing defenses have something to think about with his addition as he should take the defensive attention off of Maxey and he can also be a ball handler as well if need be. He should flourish with the increase in touches and scoring opportunities without Embiid on the floor and he will be the best shooter Nick Nurse has had in his coaching career. Look for him to be a three-point and mid-range dynamo that should light up the Wells Fargo Center and add another dimension to the Sixers offense which is struggling without Embiid. Combine that with Cameron Payne who is another shooter off the bench who is making 39.7% of his three-pointers you have a three-point dynamic duo that Philly did not have last night.

Daryl Morey’s emphasis this trade deadline is on people who can shoot and can handle the ball without turning the ball over. Now there is a severe lack of defense that will be upgraded with the imminent return of De’Anthony Melton from his lumbar spine injury in the next few days. If they can get him back along with Nicolas Batum that should bring back some defensive stability that is missing right now from the roster. The Sixers still have three roster spots that need to be filled via the buyout market. Once the roster is filled out the Sixers should have one of the most dynamic rosters in the league with the additions of Hield, Payne, and the possible imminent return of Joel Embiid in the next four to eight weeks.