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Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers have a crucial offseason ahead of them. With Joel Embiid inching closer and closer to age 30, the Sixers are running out of time to surround him with a championship contender while he’s still in the prime of his career.

The Sixers evidently aren’t interested in doing that through the 2022 NBA Draft, as reports have surfaced this week that Morey is calling around the league to gauge interest in the 23rd overall pick. Fan-favorite Matisse Thybulle has also reportedly been involved in these trade talks. And for what end goal? To resurrect the three-point happy Houston Rockets teams, led by James Harden, which never made it out of the Western Conference.

76ers reportedly shopping Matisse Thybulle and the 23rd overall pick to clear space for P.J. Tucker

NBA fans remember the Rockets teams from a few years ago that consistently led the league in three-point attempts and makes. Led by Harden, Tucker, Eric Gordon, and Chris Paul, the 2017-18 Rockets aimed to simply out-shoot their opponents on their way to a title. They eventually came one win away from reaching the NBA Finals, but that’s the furthest any of those Houston teams got to a championship.

Now that Tucker has declined his player option to become a free agent this offseason, Morey reportedly wants to get some of the band back together.

According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, there’s mutual interest in a three-year, $30 million deal between Tucker and the 76ers, and Morey is willing to trade away draft capital and a fan favorite to make it happen.

“[Morey] is pursuing former Houston power forward P.J. Tucker, league sources confirm,” Pompey writes. “Sources have also said the Sixers are looking to make a three-team trade that could involve Matisse Thybulle and the No. 23 pick to create space.”

Additionally, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN said this week on a mock draft special that if any team hasn’t gotten a call from Morey about a trade, “You probably have had your phone shut off,” per Kyle Neubeck of Philly Voice.

Matisse Thybulle smiles before a game.
Matisse Thybulle of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles prior to the game against the Detroit Pistons | Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Thybulle is a complete liability on the offensive end, especially in the playoffs, but his ability to jump passing lanes and poke the ball free on defense is invaluable. He’s also a beloved figure among Philadelphia fans.

If Morey does go through with his reported plan, he better hope it leads to an NBA Finals appearance and not another painful playoff exit.

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Jack Dougherty

Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies.

When Jack isn’t writing about sports, he’s watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He’s also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.