The Philadelphia 76ers looked every bit like a team trending downward in their recent loss at home to the Indiana Pacers. While the team hopes to add injured center Andrew Bynum to the mix by March, they remain four games out of a playoff spot in the East and may be looking to shake up their roster before the trade deadline.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Sixers may be willing to move guard Evan Turner to give Jrue Holiday full control of the team.
The Sixers, sources say, are open to a shakeup as they continue to wait for the return of Andrew Bynum to give All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday some badly needed help. And I'm told Philly, as such, is shopping (or at least making calls to gauge the value of) swingman Evan Turner.
It makes sense for the Sixers to look toward the future and build around their All-Star point guard. Holiday has raised his game this year, averaging over 19 points and nine assists per game. Prior to injuring his hamstring, forward Thaddeus Young had put up solid numbers and should form a formidable front court when both he and Bynum are healthy and playing together -- something that has left Philly fans wondering what could've been.
That leaves Turner as a movable commodity with his solid all-around style of play and one year remaining on his rookie contract. Turner is averaging 13.7 points, 4.5 assists and 6.6 rebounds for the Sixers but is more valuable with the ball in his hands in the half court.
It appears Philadelphia would prefer to keep the ball in Holiday's hands, which they made clear prior to the season by signing the guard to a 4-year, $44 million extension which kicks in next year.