Joel Embiid is set to have a meniscus procedure in the coming days that will keep him out for an extended period of time, but Clap Your Hands podcast host Eliot Shorr-Parks believes president Daryl Morey should still try to be aggressive ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
One specific target ESP likes is 27-year-old Hawks combo guard Dejounte Murray.
"Dejounte Murray out of Atlanta, I still think he would make a lot of sense," ESP told Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie on Monday's 94WIP Morning Show. "I also don't think this Joel injury should impact the trade deadline whatsoever."
DeCamara disagrees with ESP's take that the Sixers should look to acquire talent this talent asking him, why would the Sixers give up multiple draft picks for someone who is likely not going to play with Embiid this season?
"Because you're giving two or three draft picks for a player who is going to be a long-term part of this team," Shorr-Parks replied. "Dejounte Murray is under contract beyond this year."
ESP expanded on why adding a player now via trade compared to as a free-agent this summer is advantageous for the Sixers.
"Two reasons, it's harder to sign someone than it is to trade for him," Shorr-Parks said. "Two, if they go out and they want to sign a free-agent, that makes it harder with their own current free-agents...Guys like Nikolas Batum, I believe Melton is a free-agent. For the Sixers to re-sign their players and to give Maxey an extension, they can't go over the cap for another free-agent...It's easier to acquire that talent now. And, I will also say, you can't punt on the season with Maxey on the roster. You can't just give up and let this team free fall, you have to give him help as well."
Murray averages 21.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game for Atlanta this season, shooting 36.8-percent from three on a career-high 6.2 attempts per game.
This past July, Murray and the Hawks agreed to a four-year extension worth $120 million, keeping Murray under contract through the 2026-27 season before his player option kicks in.
The Sixers are currently 30-18, good for fifth in the East, but just 2.0 games back of the second placed Bucks. The Hawks are struggling this season, at just 22-27.
Obviously, a key variable here is the timeline for Embiid's return, which will be more clear following his procedure in the coming days, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.