The NBA Trade Deadline is now just one week away, and as always seems to be the case, the Sixers are expected to be one of the most active teams in the league.
While they will certainly try to add an impact player, the latest rumor surrounding the team has them focusing on a backup center — one fans should be familiar with.
Per ESPN:
If Philadelphia chooses to upgrade the roster over the next nine days, pursuing both of those things to supplement its starters will be at the top of the agenda. Atlanta Hawks big man Dewayne Dedmon has drawn the 76ers' interest, sources tell ESPN. He would bring athleticism and defense, along with shooting. But to get him, the 76ers would likely have to do something they have so far been resistant to, per sources: trading 2017 No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz.
Dedmon, 7-foot, 245 pounds, played 11 games for the Sixers during the 2013 season, averaging 3.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 13.6 minutes. He has since turned into a far more dependable backup, averaging 10.0 points and 7.7 rebounds during his two-year stint in Atlanta.
A backup big is one of the Sixers' top needs, and Dedmon — who is a free agent this offseason — would certainly fill that need.
The question for the Sixers is whether giving up on Fultz to land Dedmon is a good deal.
Although Fultz has been a huge disappointment since being drafted No. 1 overall last season, it is fair to wonder if just a half season of Dedmon is selling too low. Fultz might never be a contributing player, but getting only Dedmon in exchange for Fultz might not be worth giving up on the sliver of hope that Fultz will turn things around.
If the Hawks do not move off their asking price for Dedmon, however, the Sixers will have to decide just how committed they still are to Fultz.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
