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Stephen A. Smith Explains How Zach Lavine Fits the 76ers Better Than James Harden

Published 11/20/2023, 7:35 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

Zach LaVine seems like he wants to call it quits with the Chicago Bulls. Adding to this news, Stephen A. Smith also mentioned that LaVine seems to be looking for suitable teams where he can land. Shams Charania of the Athletic reported on Tuesday that the Bulls and star guard Zach Lavine are exploring trade options. After the revelation made by Shams Charania just a couple of days ago, the trade talks between the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers are on every analyst’s radar. 

Jake Fisher of Yahoo Sports just added to the announcement on Friday, dropping the news on how the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs can also be the preferred landing spots. Amidst all this turmoil over the latest news updates, Stephen A. Smith drops down reasons as to why the Philadelphia 76ers could use the player.

The Sixers need Zach LaVine: Stephen A. Smith.

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In a recent live on his YouTube channel, Stephen A. Smith reached out to NBA fans and had them on a call, answering their questions about the players and the league in general. This is when he addressed the trade talks between the Chicago Bulls and 76ers regarding a probable trade. While it seems financially difficult for the Sixers to acquire LaVine, Stephen A. makes his case by citing a reason.

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Stephen A. Smith said, “There’s not much out there, but if could get Zach LaVine, they should get him. The difference between him and James Harden is that Harden is a guy you give the point guard to.” Iterating on the point of how Zach Lavine would help get the ball from Tyrese Maxey, Stephen also pointed toward how LaVine doesn’t want to be with the Chicago Bulls anymore.

Does this hint towards an expected trade, or do the Sixers have to move on from their current roster to afford the player?

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Can the Philadelphia 76ers acquire Zach Lavine?

Before diving into the financial details, it’s important to analyze how the team is doing overall. The franchise has somewhat proven that it can dominate the Eastern Conference, and coupled with the numbers thrown by Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, this just places the team in an optimal position for a title hunt. However, since LaVine cited the team as a preferred destination, the Sixers will try to adjust their newly acquired chest of assets post-James Harden trade. It’s no secret that the Sixers would have to alter their already established roster, as Lavine is currently valued at $40.1 million this year. And since the franchise has to put up a deal worth $31.9 million, they will have to play without Marcus Morris, Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, and Keyton Martin Jr.

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However, the roadblock here is that these contracts can’t be aggregated before January 1st. Leaving Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid as the only players close to LaVine’s expected salary, the team wouldn’t be able to sail in two boats. What are your views on the foreseen trade? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Written by:

Siddhanshi Sharma

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Siddhanshi Sharma is an NBA author at EssentiallySports. Her aspirations reach beyond writing, with dreams of becoming an analyst in the NBA world. To achieve this goal, Siddhanshi meticulously tracks and analyzes all the latest developments in the NBA, leaving no detail unexamined.
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Edited by:

Sameen Nawathe