NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 trades to put the Magic back in the Orlando Magic

3. Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia gets: Bismack Biyombo

Orlando gets: Amir Johnson, Trevor Brooker, 2018 Second Round Pick (from Philadelphia)

The 76ers are a young team on the cusp of making their first playoff run after a long, hard, much-talked-about rebuild. Their one major problem is that they practically fall apart when Joel Embiid is not on the floor. None of their backup bigs can fill the hole Embiid leaves when he’s resting. We’re not quite sure any player in the league could completely plug the hole, but Philly is for sure in need of something better.

The Magic really need to hammer that point home when they propose this trade to Philadelphia.

Sure, Bismack Biyombo may be a bit overpaid at $17 million per year. Sure, his production may not exactly be living up to that contract. But he can certainly protect the rim and keep the team from losing leads when Embiid takes a seat. He can allow the Sixers to give Joel precious rest and recovery time while staying competitive. Biyombo can help Philly become a legit playoff team.

Will Philadelphia buy it? Hard to say. Their sights have definitely been set on the long-term for a long time, and Biyombo’s contract is still on the books for another three years. While this wouldn’t completely ruin their chances of competing for a top-end free agent next offseason, it wouldn’t help them either.

But it would help provide long-term protection for their precious franchise center. That’s the message Orlando should put forth when they’re on the phone with Philadelphia.

All it would cost them are the expiring contracts of current back-ups Johnson and Brooker, and a second-round pick for good luck.