Sixers May Trade Kelly Oubre Jr To Dodge Luxury Tax

Merlin sees Philadelphia likely to move before Feb. 5 to slip under the luxury-tax. Keith Pompey reports "based on [the Sixers] recent history of trading to get under the luxury-tax threshold, there's an expectation that they'll make at least one trade ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline." The club sits about $7 million over the line and roughly $1 million from first-apron penalties. The names most often floated are Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond. Oubre is averaging 14.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 38 percent from three. Drummond provides 7.1 points and nine rebounds as Embiid’s backup. Merlin warns the likely moves will be financial, not grand upgrades. Shipping Oubre would dent wing scoring and defense when Paul George is out. Moving Drummond would push the Sixers to trust Aden Bona, Dominick Barlow or rookie Johni Broome as backup center. Fans want the band kept together, but payroll rules often steer front offices toward sacrifice.