76ers' Get Final Piece for Championship Run in Latest Trade Projection

The Philadelphia 76ers typically have a strong team each season, but there's been a struggle to get over the playoff hump. Despite boasting six consecutive postseason appearances, the 76ers haven't reached the Eastern Conference Finals since their NBA Finals run in 2001.

Needless to say, Philly fans are ready for the next step.

Even though the 76ers are off to an impressive 16-7 start to the 2023-24 season, there's still room for improvement. The Eastern Conference is as tight as ever this time around and if Philadelphia wants to keep pace with the other contenders, more trades must be made.

That's why one NBA analyst's trade proposal is one that the Sixers might want to consider.

76ers Trade Rumors: Alex Caruso Proposal

The Chicago Bulls are one of the teams that the 76ers have been linked to this season. After all, the Bulls are fourth-last in the East with a 10-16 record, meaning it'd make sense for a contender like Philly to make a play for stars like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.

Having said that, The Ringer's Michael Pina doesn't have the 76ers going after either of those names. Instead, they suggest that they trade for Alex Caruso instead.

In the hypothetical trade, Pina has Philadelphia acquiring Caruso in exchange for Furkan Korkmaz, Danuel House Jr., and a pair of first-round picks. While that does sound like a steep price to pay, Pina assures it's worth it for the "priceless impact that would be felt in a playoff series."

Caruso is a support player who does a bit of everything. His 9.3 PPG won't wow you, but he's also finished with double-digit totals 10 times in 21 outings this season. He's also an incredibly accurate shooter (53.5% from the field, 47.2% from three) while also averaging 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

The 29-year-old guard also isn't a stranger to the spotlight. He played a crucial role in the Los Angeles Lakers' 2020 NBA Championship run and was just named to last year's NBA All-Defensive First Team, highlighting where he ranks among the league's best defenders.

It isn't hard to see just how good Caruso would look in the 76ers' backcourt alongside Tyrese Maxey. His handling most of the defensive responsibilities would give Maxey even more freedom, potentially helping him reach that next level of superstardom.

Acquiring Caruso also wouldn't be just a one-year move. The former Texas A&M product is signed through the 2024-25 campaign with a $9.89 million cap hit, meaning the 76ers would still have plenty of money to spend once free agency rolls around next summer.

While parting with two first-round picks would sting a bit, they'd be relatively meaningless if Caruso helps the 76ers end their 41-year championship drought. As it stands, Philadelphia has the fifth-best 2023-24 NBA Finals odds on FanDuel Sportsbook.

In other 76ers news:

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.