NBA Trade Rumors: Sixers Star Hunting Kawhi Leonard Pre-Deadline, McCain Dealt, Tax Avoided – Paul George Contract Could Cost 2028 & 2029 Picks

The Philadelphia 76ers were one of the most active teams on the phone before the February 5, 2026 trade deadline, with executives confirming they were aggressively exploring star upgrades. Sources indicate that president Daryl Morey was star hunting, and Kawhi Leonard’s name repeatedly surfaced in connection with Philly. Despite the calls, nothing came close to materializing, and the Sixers ultimately stood pat on their core roster.

Instead of adding help, the team saw rookie Jared McCain dealt away in a separate move, successfully ducked the luxury tax, and brought in no new pieces to support Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The decision to stay quiet has left many wondering whether Philadelphia missed an opportunity to bolster their contention window.

The Paul George Contract Complication

The Sixers own two valuable future assets from the Clippers: an unprotected first-round pick in 2028 and a top-3 protected first-round pick swap in 2029. However, the Paul George contract is widely viewed as one of the most heinous in the league right now. Dumping it could require giving up both of those picks outright — plus additional assets — just to make a deal work for a player like Kawhi Leonard.

This puts the Sixers in a difficult spot: they have the picks to chase stars, but the financial baggage of Paul George makes any big swing extremely expensive.

What the Pre-Deadline Activity Means for 2026

Morey’s calls for Kawhi Leonard show the Sixers were willing to shake things up, but the lack of a deal suggests the asking price was too high or the timing wasn’t right. With McCain now gone and the tax successfully avoided, Philadelphia enters the summer with cap flexibility but fewer young assets and a still-heavy Paul George contract hanging over the books.

For fans hoping for a star addition, the focus now shifts to the 2026 offseason, where the 2028 and 2029 Clippers picks could be the currency needed to land a difference-maker — if the team is willing to part with them.

Potential Paths Forward

Scenario	Cost to Sixers	Potential Outcome
Dump Paul George to chase Kawhi	2028 unprotected pick + 2029 swap + extra assets	Clear cap space for Leonard or similar star
Keep George & use picks elsewhere	No immediate cost	Retain flexibility for smaller upgrades
Stand pat again	None	Risk another disappointing playoff exit

The Sixers’ pre-deadline activity shows ambition, but the Paul George contract remains the biggest obstacle to a true superstar upgrade.

Filipino fans know how one bad contract or missed star chase can stall a franchise — just like past PBA teams that held onto overpaid imports too long.

Add your sidebar poll gadget (“Should the Sixers use their Clippers picks to dump Paul George and chase Kawhi Leonard?”) and cross-post to Facebook with the caption above. The 2026 offseason is shaping up to be critical for Philadelphia.

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