Tyrese Maxey

The Sixers were the first team to get on the board on trade deadline day, swinging a deal to acquire sharpshooter Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers on Thursday morning.

Cobbling together a couple of role players who can each do one or two things quite well is a reasonable way to find the light at the end of Philadelphia's tunnel.

The Sixers are playing on Dec. 25 again.

And so, on the day that he was expected back at practice in anticipation of a potential season debut on Thursday, James Harden is instead packing his bags for Los Angeles.

Joel Embiid and James Harden are two of the betting favorites to win the Finals MVP honor.