NBA Trade Rumors: Sixer Possibly Prowling For More Outside Shooters

The Philadelphia 76ers lost their third straight game, bowing to the Dallas Mavericks 117-98. Compounding their misery was the fact that this went down right in their homecourt. And Philly fans who witnessed the match were quite upset, most booing their hometown boys.

Previously, they also lost to the Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets. Now, the Sixers are trying to look for answers. But according to their star center, Joel Embiid, the reason behind the losing spell is because his teammates are playing scared. He believes that they are scared to take outside shots and are playing awful defense, ESPN reported.

In basketball, the best way to fight the zone defense is to connect from the outside. Except for Ben Simmons, most of the Sixers players do have the ability to hit an outside shot. But for some reason, they have become gun-shy. Against the Mavs, Philly shot 10-of-34 from the three-point region. Their previous games against the Heat and the Nets from the rainbow country were similarly atrocious, Yahoo Sports reported.

In general, the best way to bring down the Sixers is to play the zone. Unless head coach Brett Brown wills some of his guys to take more outside shots, the game plan is pretty simple but devastating to the 76ers. The whole thing has become a frustration for Brown.

"I think that the influence that our inability lately, to, like, be put on our back heels against the zone has crept into our defense, our psyche, our spirit," he said. "And I can't stand it.”

With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, it will be interesting if the Sixers will consider changing up some personnel. They do have players like Harris who can hit it from deep but need more. Simmons entered the season hoping to add the outside shot to his repertoire but nothing has come close to it. Philly just cannot rely on their low post players or drives. Someone has to can it from the perimeter or out deep.

There is a lot of buzz on players who could be on the move before the February trade deadline. Names such as Jrue Holiday, Danilo Gallinari or even Robert Covington could be worth looking into. But who do the Sixers give up in return?

Philly lost big when they parted with Jimmy Butler. Nothing has been discussed on possible trade moves but their current run could spur some talks. The only question now is who or what do they give up for added firepower.