Philadelphia 76ers: Oh God, is Mike Scott expendable?

Despite being exceptionally popular, Mike Scott is starting to feel expendable as the Philadelphia 76ers vie for a trade deadline scoring upgrade.

Has any player in recent memory galvanized the Philadelphia 76ers‘ fanbase more than Mike Scott?

Joel Embiid? Totally. Ben Simmons? As of late, definitely. Heck, even current talk of the town Norvel Pelle has brought plenty of excitement to the #blockparty, but that was kind of the point. The Sixers drafted Embiid and Simmons to be stars and signed Pelle after cultivating his skillset over the last year-plus in Delaware.

Scott came to Philly as a midseason acquisition – an afterthought in a deal for Tobias Harris.

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And yet, based on buzz alone, you’d think Scott is the second coming of another fan-favorite Philly forward, Charles Barkley.

Scott can shoot, Scott can play defense, and most importantly of all Scott ain’t no b!$#h. His off the field accolades are the stuff of legend but his certified hometown hero status is enough to keep a marginal top-six player on a championship contender around long-term.

Unfortunately, the Hive may soon face extermination by the man who started it all: Elton Brand.

Again, I like Scott as much as the next guy, but there’s a growing sense that his roughly $4.9 million cap hit could be invaluable in adding the missing piece to a championship roster.

Do you want to add a player in the $10 million ballpark? Even if you add together the contracts of Zhaire Smith, Jonah Bolden, Trey Burke, and Kyle O’Quinn, it’s impossible to pull off within the current parameters of the CBA. Add in Scott’s deal, and a player like J.J. Redick is very much in reach.

Swapping out a player averaging 6.5 points a game for one averaging 16.1 while knocking down 45 percent of his 3s just seems obvious.

Now would the Sixers really forfeit a big piece of their defensive identity (Scott) for a scorer that they clearly didn’t value enough to retain in free agency (Redick)? That is up for debate, but it’s not like that’s the only option on the table.

You want major 3 point shooting production from the four? Dāvis Bertāns could surely be had from the Wizards for Scott, Smith, and a pick. How about a legitimate backup point guard? There’s conceivably a player for any style available at the deadline from Kris Dunn for the defensive crowd, to legit sixth man of the year candidate Derrick Rose.

Outside of 3 point shooting percentage, James Ennis has thoroughly outplayed Scott thus far this season and could fill his role with ease. Backup point? Reserve sharpshooter? Stretch 5? Those options are only attainable via trade.

Next. Leaving was the worst decision of J.J. Redick’s career. dark

Losing Mike Scott at the trade deadline – or before it – would be a tough pill to swallow, even if it brought back a player like J.J. Redick. However, with December 15th now past and the deadline rapidly approaching, it’s a reality fans may very well have to prepare for.