Philadelphia 76ers' trade for Wilson Chandler makes too much sense

Philadelphia 76ers’ trade for Wilson Chandler makes too much sense

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Wilson Chandler #21 of the Denver Nuggets has the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The Philadelphia 76ers have acquired former Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler. Is this the team adding another solid player to their rotation, or a sign of something bigger to come?

The Philadelphia 76ers entered this year’s free agency period planning to spend their large chunk of cap space. After striking out on both the LeBron James and Paul George sweepstakes, the team has finally acquired a new piece.

That piece is Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler. The Nuggets were set to have one of the higher payrolls in the NBA after signing Nikola Jokic and Will Barton to new deals. It was well known that they were looking to dump a large salary; it was just a question of which one and to which team.

These questions were answered today when they sent Wilson Chandler and a 2021 second-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for cash considerations, per Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charania.

This deal makes perfect sense for all parties involved. By dealing Chandler, the Nuggets save a combined $50 million in salary and luxury tax, clearing the way for them to re-sign Will Barton without a luxury bill that is too much to swallow. Giving up a future second round pick is a price that is certainly worth being paid in exchange for the money that will be saved.

For the 76ers, it makes even more sense to make this trade. By giving up nothing, they were able to bring in a starting caliber forward to take up a majority of their remaining cap space as well as acquire another draft asset. While it will finish their cap space for this offseason, there is just one year remaining on Chandler’s deal, allowing them to enter next offseason with a nice amount of cap space once again.

By missing out on signing LeBron James the 76ers were able to resign J.J. Reddick and bring in Chandler, both of which are on one year deals. This will allow them to enter themselves back into the pool of teams who will have room to sign a star player next summer.

There is also the chance that Philadelphia made this deal to acquire more assets for a potential Kawhi Leonard trade. It was rumored for some time that the Los Angeles Lakers were contemplating making a similar deal with the Nuggets for that exact reason. With the 76ers being the only other team seriously pursuing Leonard, it makes sense for them to add another solid player and draft pick to add into the deal. Chandler could either be a part of the trade itself or he could fill Covington’s spot and play next to Kawhi if Covington was involved in the trade.

The 76ers have many options now, Kawhi trade or not. Regardless of how it plays out exactly, the team seems to be in a great position to add another star player to play alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid in the next 12 months.