The Philadelphia 76ers traded the rights to the 23rd overall pick of Thursday night’s NBA Draft and Danny Green to the Memphis Grizzlies for De’Anthony Melton. Melton will provide the Sixers with a two-way presence alongside James Harden and Tyrese Maxey.
Melton averaged 10.8 points per game for the Grizzlies last season and 8.4 points overall in two seasons with Phoenix and Memphis. Melton is about to make $8.25 million next season and $8 million in 2023-24 in a cap-friendly deal.
Danny Green was expected to be out for the next season, as he tore both the ACL and LCL in his left knee during the playoffs. The Sixers selected Colorado State’s David Roddy and he will be sent to Memphis.
The trade will be finalized on June 23 for both the 76ers and Grizzlies.
Here is the Sixers’ roster after last night’s trade via Spotrac:
James Harden (player option)
Free Agents:
James Harden (if opts out)
Paul Millsap
DeAndre Jordan
Myles Powell
The Philadelphia 76ers saved a little bit of money ahead of the free agency with James Harden eligible to extend his contract this summer and add a good rotational piece. Moreover, they offloaded Danny Green, who was not expected to play next season due to his injury and covered a need with Melton, who had a great season with the Grizzlies.
The 76ers won’t have space in their salary cap for a lucrative addition, being already $4.4 million over the luxury cap threshold this offseason. They will have the Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception worth $6.3 million to add a solid piece, while they also had a Trade Exception from Andre Drummond, who was sent to Brooklyn last season in February’s deadline.