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Tim Daniels is the featured Columnist of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Tim Nwachukwu is a photographer.
The NBA trade deadline in February of 2022 is not something the Philadelphia 76ers need to make a deal for.
The 76ers won their eighth game in a row on Friday night, thanks to 25 points, 13 rebound, and six assists from Embiid, who talked about the team's outlook after the game.
I think we are 21-9 when we have most of the team healthy, like me in the lineup. That is not bad. That's the best record in the NBA. All that tells me is that we need to stay healthy, and that the guys allow me to do what I do best.
I feel good. I don't think we've played our best basketball yet, we still have a long way to go, and we're missing some guys that could really help us. There is no need to change anything. We've got everything we need, we're going to keep going and I'm happy.
The future of Ben Simmons, who is yet to play during the 2021-22 season while awaiting a possible move, has been the focus of the attention ahead of the deadline.
The team was not closer to a potential trade after a meeting between the president of basketball operations, general manager, and Simmons' agent.
The front office reiterated its goal of getting "top 25-caliber players" in return for Simmons, while Paul told the Philly brass that Simmons still wants a trade.
With the 76ers playing so well with the deadline looming, it's possible the franchise doesn't make anything beyond some minor depth moves if a blockbuster Simmons doesn't happen.
After Friday's game, he said he was confident that the roster was strong enough to accomplish the team's goals.
I think so. I think we can beat anyone when we are at our best. We've seen it a couple of times. I need to keep doing what I've been doing. We need consistency from everyone, not just the guys coming off of the bench. We need consistency, everybody coming in every night with the goal of just doing their job, chipping in defensively, and playing together, and we'll be fine.
The Philadelphia 76ers have a solid 24-17 record, but they are 12th in the Basketball Power Index and have a 5 percent chance of winning the NBA title.
If the team wants to make a serious run toward a championship in the playoffs, it would benefit from a blockbuster trade that brings in at least one more high-level player to pair with Embiid.
The 76ers haven't been willing to back down from their demands for Simmons, and the franchise center sounds content to chase a title with the roster as it stands.
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