Philadelphia <-> Memphis Mid-Season Trade

[eliasrapp98]

PHI out: KJ Martin (resigned to balloon 1 year/$14 million), 2026 1st, 2028 1st, 2026 2nd, 2027 2nd

MEM out: Marcus Smart

Why for Memphis? This trade assumes that Memphis is somewhere in the middle of the Western standings or below. They decide they want to pair a superstar with Ja and realize that offloading a win now role player like Marcus Smart for draft capital is their best route to be the team that can offer the most in the 2025 offseason. I don't think they'd make this move if they're a top 4 seed in the West.

Why for Philly? Smart is the perfect piece to pair next to the new Big 3. They give up some future draft capital but cash in on a guy who can legitimately put them over the top and guard other team's top guards.

Maxey, Lowry
Smart, McCain
George, Gordon
Martin, Oubre
Embiid, Drummond

Memphis meanwhile would now have seven 1sts in the next 4 years to play with.

[Godaddycurse]

This hardcaps philly to first apron btw

[Colbinii]

The entire assumption that Memphis is doing poorly really takes the wind out of the sails of this deal.

Even if Memphis were in the middle of the Western Conference, they would be looking for ways to enhance the roster this year. The Middle of the Western Conference is likely going to be 3-4 games out of Top 4 seed with how tight the Western Conference projects to be.

[eliasrapp98]

The entire assumption that Memphis is doing poorly really takes the wind out of the sails of this deal.

Even if Memphis were in the middle of the Western Conference, they would be looking for ways to enhance the roster this year. The Middle of the Western Conference is likely going to be 3-4 games out of Top 4 seed with how tight the Western Conference projects to be.

That's fair. I could imagine this also existing as a 3-team superstar deal where Memphis needs to offload Smart's contract and get some extra capital to make the deal happen.

To be fair, it's not hard for me to imagine Memphis being 7th or 8th in the conference this year and taking the chance to oversell on Smart given he'll be very in demand. Smart has a lot more value to a win-now team in 3rd than a team in the play-in hunt.

[Colbinii]

The entire assumption that Memphis is doing poorly really takes the wind out of the sails of this deal.

Even if Memphis were in the middle of the Western Conference, they would be looking for ways to enhance the roster this year. The Middle of the Western Conference is likely going to be 3-4 games out of Top 4 seed with how tight the Western Conference projects to be.

That's fair. I could imagine this also existing as a 3-team superstar deal where Memphis needs to offload Smart's contract and get some extra capital to make the deal happen.

To be fair, it's not hard for me to imagine Memphis being 7th or 8th in the conference this year and taking the chance to oversell on Smart given he'll be very in demand. Smart has a lot more value to a win-now team in 3rd than a team in the play-in hunt.

I see no reason Memphis would move Smart when in 7th or 8th considering they would still be contenders with their roster.

The only chance of that happening is
1) Smart is injured
2) Smart is playing horrible

But then why would the 76ers want him?

[PhillyNj]

No shot Philly is giving up an in protected FRP for Smart. Even if the trade worked which it doesn’t, because of the hard cap.
No one is giving up 2 FRP’s for smart.

[eliasrapp98]

The entire assumption that Memphis is doing poorly really takes the wind out of the sails of this deal.

Even if Memphis were in the middle of the Western Conference, they would be looking for ways to enhance the roster this year. The Middle of the Western Conference is likely going to be 3-4 games out of Top 4 seed with how tight the Western Conference projects to be.

That's fair. I could imagine this also existing as a 3-team superstar deal where Memphis needs to offload Smart's contract and get some extra capital to make the deal happen.

To be fair, it's not hard for me to imagine Memphis being 7th or 8th in the conference this year and taking the chance to oversell on Smart given he'll be very in demand. Smart has a lot more value to a win-now team in 3rd than a team in the play-in hunt.

I see no reason Memphis would move Smart when in 7th or 8th considering they would still be contenders with their roster.

The only chance of that happening is
1) Smart is injured
2) Smart is playing horrible

But then why would the 76ers want him?

Even if they could acquire a star player? That's hard to believe.

It's not like there's not precedent either for teams in the play-in area around the trade deadline sending off older veteran role players for good hauls. If they think they can get an extra 1st by trading him in February than later that offseason, they'd be foolish not to trade him.

[Colbinii]

That's fair. I could imagine this also existing as a 3-team superstar deal where Memphis needs to offload Smart's contract and get some extra capital to make the deal happen.

To be fair, it's not hard for me to imagine Memphis being 7th or 8th in the conference this year and taking the chance to oversell on Smart given he'll be very in demand. Smart has a lot more value to a win-now team in 3rd than a team in the play-in hunt.

I see no reason Memphis would move Smart when in 7th or 8th considering they would still be contenders with their roster.

The only chance of that happening is
1) Smart is injured
2) Smart is playing horrible

But then why would the 76ers want him?

Even if they could acquire a star player? That's hard to believe.

It's not like there's not precedent either for teams in the play-in area around the trade deadline sending off older veteran role players for good hauls. If they think they can get an extra 1st by trading him in February than later that offseason, they'd be foolish not to trade him.

Sure, good trade if we assume Stipulation A-Z happens. Bravo

[QMemphis]

Only way we move Smart is for an upgrade.