‘Doc’ Rivers isn’t feeling trade dealing vibe for 76ers
Getting Embiid back would be biggest lift
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, but Sixers coach Doc Rivers doesn’t feel much of a trade vibe because there’s no one out there who can give his team a bigger lift than Joel Embiid, slated to return from a deep bone bruise as early as next weekend.
The Sixers have won four of five games since Embiid hurt his knee, including a 101-100 overtime decision of the New York Knicks Sunday night at Madison Square Garden.
“I like our team,” Rivers said. “If we make a move, great. If not, I love our team. I don’t get lost in all that stuff. The way I look at it is I’m coaching this team and this team is really good. Obviously getting Joel back is the most important thing. There’s no move we can make that’s more important than getting Joel back healthy.”
Embiid was playing at an MVP level before the injury, the big guy ranking among the league leaders averaging 29.9 points and 11.5 rebounds.
Unless Rivers was blowing significant smoke, it doesn’t sound like the Sixers are going to make a significant move before the deadline. Certainly nothing like the buzz that they were finalists to acquire guard James Harden, who the Rock
ets ultimately shipped to the Nets.
The big name linked to the Sixers in trade rumors is Kyle Lowry, the Villanova hero and Raptors’ soon-tobe 35-year-old point guard still playing at an elite level and cashing a big check.
The Sixers could disrupt the chemistry that has helped them remain atop the East standings even without Embiid, as they likely would have to deal veteran Danny Green, who’s been playing solidly, and assets like highly regarded rookie guard Tyrese Maxey, as well as draft picks to secure Lowry, who has also been linked to the Miami Heat lately.
Rivers explained how important chemistry is by referencing his season last year with the Clippers. By the time Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both were healthy, the Clippers still weren’t completely comfortable playing together. Rivers unexpectedly had to move on.
“The one thing we all know is there’s no team that’s going to win if their two best guys or one of their best guys are out,” Rivers said referencing the NBA title. “That’s just the bottom line. So, clearly you want to be healthy, but you also want to be in rhythm and playing well. I look at the team I coached last year, my two guys were healthy, but we had zero rhythm. We hadn’t played together all year. The best team that’s playing the best in the playoffs is going to win.”
Among the more modest trade mentions is Knicks guard Austin Rivers, the son of the Sixers coach. The 6-4 Rivers has averaged 21 minutes, 7.3 points and 36.4 percent shooting beyond the arc. Interestingly, he didn’t play Sunday.
While tweaks would seem much safer, don’t underestimate the dealmaking of Sixers general manager Daryl Morey. His team needed more perimeter shooting before Seth Curry sustained an ankle injury.
“I’ve been in situations where it seemed like we were very active and then I’ve been in situations where we haven’t been that active,” Rivers said of the trade deadline. “I don’t feel there’s a lot of stuff out there with us. Who knows? We’re just doing our jobs. Just focusing on our jobs. Tonight, the Knicks.”
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The other big piece of the Sixers, Ben Simmons, was back in the lineup against the Knicks after sitting out a game due to soreness.
Asked how having Big Ben back helps most, Rivers replied, “Shoot, everywhere.
“Just Ben being back defensively,” Rivers said. “Against anybody he’s big. But against a physical team he’s even more important.”
The Sixers now have beaten the Knicks in 15 straight games. Simmons has been part of 14 of those games, collecting 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists Sunday.
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The Knicks game begins a six-game road trip for the Sixers, all but one of those games against teams with winning records.
The good news is that the Lakers are one of those teams, and LeBron James is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain.
The Lakers already were without Anthony Davis and Jared Dudley.