The Philadelphia 76ers should trade Markelle Fultz for D’Angelo Russell

Could D’Angelo Russell complete the Process?

So, would the Nets be willing to move on from Russell midway through the season for what could effectively be viewed as an extra lottery ticket moving forward? Conventional wisdom says yes, as that’s how the team acquired Russell in the first place.

Now granted, does trading for Russell complicate the team’s financial situation moving forward if he does prove worthy of an extension? Sure, but no more than Fultz would have a few more years down the line.

While the Sixers do have cap space for the next few seasons, even if they do extend Jimmy Butler this summer, eventually even the best teams become too expensive and break apart after a long run.

Need proof? Look no further than Golden State.

By trading for Russell now, the Sixers would secure his bird rights, which would allow the team to sign him to an extension even if it took the team into the luxury cap, a not so insignificant fact that could be sneaky valuable.

While the team would have to extend Russell the same summer they extend Butler in 2019, where they may technically be able to sneak in another free agent before hitting that line, securing his bird rights would guarantee that Russell, Butler, and Redick could all return and the team could still give Ben Simmons his inevitable max contract.

And even if the 76ers have to include some draft compensation, at this point can they afford not to make a deal?

If the Philadelphia 76ers are serious about winning now and want to add a piece that not only fits their scheme well, but just so happens to be incredibly close with their two best players, D’Angelo Russell is the man for the job.

Is he a perfect fit? Not exactly, but at this point, securing a player like D’Angelo Russell in a move that also unloads Markelle Fultz may be the best possible solution for an otherwise daunting task. With Russell in the middle of a career year, if he can keep things going on a playoff caliber team, he could be the perfect player to complete the Process once and for all, and give Philly the best starting five in the Eastern Conference.