The Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly making a last-minute push to trade swingman Evan Turner before the NBA trade deadline. With Turner expected to be available in free agency, however, interested teams - such as the Oklahoma City Thunder - aren't expected to pursue him until the summer.
Although Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young have been linked to trade rumors, Sporting News reported on Monday the 76ers prefer to find a team willing to trade a draft pick for Turner and are actively looking for interested parties.
It appears unlikely, however, the 76ers will find a trade partner before the Feb. 20 deadline.
"The problem, one league executive said, is that Turner can become a restricted free agent this summer - or unrestricted, if the Sixers decide not to extend the $8.7 million qualifying offer he is slated for this offseason," Sean Deveney of Sporting News wrote on Monday. "If Turner is to become an unrestricted free agent, trading for him now makes little sense."
All signs point to Turner leaving in the summer. Philadelphia and Turner's agent, David Falk, never even discussed the possibility of a contract extension this past offseason, indicating Turner likely isn't in the long-term plans of new general manager Sam Hinkie.
"It wouldn't be smart to give up assets for a player you think you can just sign on your own in July," one general manager told Sporting News. "If you don't need to trade anything away to get him, then why would you?"
For his part, Turner admitted he never expected to receive a contract extension from the team.
Oklahoma City is one of the teams interested in the 25-year-old, according to Sporting News.
Turner, the second-overall pick of the 2010 draft, is averaging 18.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
