July 07, 2026
Kevin Barrett/for PhillyVoice
Will new Sixers President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey make a major trade in his first offseason?
Welcome to the second part of our annual Sixers free agency primer, evaluating potential trade targets around the NBA.
New Sixers President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey pulled off a stunning blockbuster early on in free agency, shedding the remaining two years and $110 million owed to Paul George along with four future draft picks, landing five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown.
After trading for Brown, using the non-taxpayer's mid-level exception to sign Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons and using the bi-annual exception to sign Ariel Hukporti, Gansey's optionality in trades is very limited for the remainder of the summer.
At this point, Gansey's only viable targets are players on extremely small contracts:
2026 SIXERS FREE AGENCY PRIMER
SALARY CAP DETAILS | TRADE TARGETS | FREE AGENTS
Ben Sheppard, Indiana Pacers (remaining contract: $5.0 million in 2026-27): Sheppard could be a cost-cutting casualty in Indiana depending on the Pacers' free-agency plans. He is a prototypical role-playing off-ball swingman whose production will, to some degree, be reliant on him making spot-up threes.
Jaylon Tyson, Cleveland Cavaliers remaining contract: $3.6 million in 2026-27, team option for $5.6 million in 2027-28): Tyson crushed the Sixers in a Cavaliers win in Philadelphia last season; he was one of the most successful first-round picks made by in recent years by the front office Gansey just departed. He is probably a year away from being in any remotely substantive trade talks, but if he could be available, Gansey would know.
Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans (remaining contract: $3.5 million in 2026-27, team option for $5.5 million in 2027-28): Another recent first-round pick, Missi had a strong rookie campaign for the Pelicans before a new front-office regime entered and essentially replaced him immediately by drafting Derik Queen. Missi has been available for some time now, and perhaps his preexisting relationship with Embiid earns him bonus points as a Sixers target.
Kris Murray, Memphis Grizzlies (remaining contract: $3.1 million in 2026-27, team option for $5.3 million in 2027-28): Murray was just traded from Portland to Memphis as part of a deal which finally sent Ja Morant to a new team. The Grizzlies have a roster crunch coming; Murray is one of many young wings that could be moved as a result.
Justin Champagnie, Washington Wizards (remaining contract: $2.6 million in 2026-27; non-guaranteed, team option for $3.0 million in 2027-28; non-guaranteed): Champagnie is constantly undervalued, and even if he is not an ideal rotation regular on the wing, he is at the very least capable of contributing in small doses. He is an elite offensive rebounder, and while he does not have any other standout traits he also does not have any major weaknesses. He can be a meaningful upgrade over what the Sixers had in their middle-to-back-end roster spots.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Memphis Grizzlies (remaining contract: $2.4 million in 2026-27): Teams can carry up to 20 players in the offseason, but if the Grizzlies are unable to secure a roster spot for Prosper heading into the season a trade is always possible. Prosper, who turns 24 years old this week, averaged 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds (2.2 offensive) per 36 minutes, with his career-best 40.5 percent clip from beyond the arc helping him earn a promotion from a two-way deal to a standard contract.
GG Jackson, Memphis Grizzlies (remaining contract: $2.4 million in 2026-27): Jackson could also theoretically be a victim of the numbers game in Memphis, and after a terrific start to his career has not been able to completely establish himself as a rotation-caliber forward. Still only 21 years old, Jackson's 6-foot-9 frame and impressive skill level make him an intriguing prospect.
2026 SIXERS FREE AGENCY PRIMER
SALARY CAP DETAILS | TRADE TARGETS | FREE AGENTS
