Philadelphia 76ers: 3 trades for 23 and Danny Green

1. Philly adds some grit

Joel Embiid was not only loud and clear, but he was also correct when he called out the Sixers’ toughness earlier this year — although he could have gone about it another way. Philadelphia needs to add an impactful hustle, a player with attitude, a P.J. Tucker type. One such player is Utah Jazz forward Royce O’Neale.

Since going undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft, O’Neale has worked diligently to focus on providing defensive intensity and expanding his range. Flash forward seven years, and O’Neale is now the very definition of a 3-and-D wing. O’Neale’s defensive ability has rarely been questioned, and last season he enjoyed a career-high in both three-point percentage (38.9 percent) and three-point attempts per game (4.0).

Beyond just his two-way ability, O’Neale brings the grit and hustle that this Sixers team sorely needs. His attitude may get the best of him on occasion, but more often than not, he’s an instigator and an energizer, or in other words, just what the 76ers need.

The Utah Jazz are a team at their own crossroads. Having just lost their head coach of eight years, Quin Snyder, the Jazz now face the difficult task of choosing between their two stars. To further complicate things, one star may force his way out while the other plays the most difficult position to build around. All in all, not ideal for Utah, but it’s just the sort of opportunity the Sixers could take advantage of, especially since the Jazz are without a first-round pick.