Philadelphia 76ers: 3 realistic Matisse Thybulle trade targets

1. Will Barton

The Sixers exhibit many needs, from shooting to size, athleticism, and playmaking. The Denver Nuggets’ Will Barton is all that wrapped into one. The 6-foot-6 wing averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists last season for the Nuggets. His numbers may not have been the most efficient, but they were surely impacted by the increased role, having lost Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. for the entire season.

For the Philadelphia 76ers, Barton would fit perfectly either as a starter on the wing or perhaps even more so as the team’s sixth man. It may seem odd or disappointing trading Thybulle for a bench player, but that’s the value of a flawed one-way (especially defensive) player, and Barton wouldn’t just be any bench player. The 76ers’ bench needs a leader, as shown last season, and Barton, through both his scoring and passing prowess, is perfectly suited for that role.

Rumors have been spinning around fan circles for some time that the Denver Nuggets may be interested in Matisse Thybulle. The addition of Aaron Gordon at the 2021 trade deadline has helped to improve the team’s perimeter defense, but there’s still a long way to go. Matisse Thybulle could prove to be a difference-maker in Denver defensively.

As far as how to get Barton to Philly? To acquire Barton, the 76ers would also have to include Danny Green, who would likely interest Denver due to his leadership and contract ($10 million, one year remaining). Perhaps joining Denver’s pending deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder could be a sensical path?