NBA Trade Rumors: 5 players unlikely to be back with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2020-21 season 

The Philadelphia 76ers have a team that can contend for a championship but have often been bogged down due to bad coaching and roster management. However, with Doc Rivers as the new head coach, the 76ers will have a good chance to contend and improve in the off-season, with several NBA trade rumors linking them with star players.

On that note, here are five players who are unlikely to return with the Philadelphia 76ers after the ongoing off-season.

NBA Trade Rumors: 5 players unlikely to return with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2020-21 season

#1- Al Horford

Boston Celtics v Philadelphia 76ers - Game Three

After leaving Boston Celtics, the dominant center signed a mega-deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, but it hasn't worked out for him yet. Al Horford is known for his damage in the paint and mid-range but Joel Embiid's presence has pushed him to the perimeter, which has rendered his skillset ineffective.

The Philadelphia 76ers will actively be looking to getting rid of his contract as they plan to stretch the roster by signing the right role players to complement the duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Horford has already been mentioned in multiple NBA trade rumors and could be on his way out.

#2- Josh Richardson

Boston Celtics v Philadelphia 76ers - Game Three

After signing for the Philadelphia 76ers through an NBA trade which saw Jimmy Butler go to Miami Heat, Josh Richardson has had a tough time settling in as he was asked to play a role he is not comfortable in.

Due to the loss of Butler and Ben Simmons, Richardson was assigned the role of a ball-handler, and the experiment failed miserably due to his lack of experience in the position.

Five potential trades if the Sixers decide to trade Josh Richardson. https://t.co/v2RNAduRtc

— The Sixer Sense (@SixerSense) October 25, 2020

NBA trade rumors have linked Richardson with a move back to Miami Heat, and there is heavy speculation regarding to his future after Doc Rivers' appointment. The Philadelphia 76ers will be looking to add a shooter this off-season, and Richardson could make way for him.

🎥 Doc Rivers: One-On-One@brianseltzer sits down with @DocRivers for an in-depth interview after his first 24 hours in Philadelphia.FULL INTERVIEW → https://t.co/Ho8GwCVjbx pic.twitter.com/zRc5vqRno8

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 22, 2020

---

#3- Shake Milton

Boston Celtics v Philadelphia 76ers - Game Three

Predominantly a bench player, Shake Milton burst into the scene with his performances for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA bubble, starting at point guard instead of Ben Simmons, who took up the power forward position. The experiment was successful, and Milton was lauded for his playmaking. However, with Doc Rivers now at the helm, there are doubts surrounding his future.

NBA trade rumors indicated that Milton could be on his way out, with Ben Simmons set to play as the team's point guard again. He was impressive in the Orlando bubble and could attract multiple suitors in the off-season.

#4- Alec Burks

Golden State Warriors v Atlanta Hawks

After spending 7 years with the Utah Jazz since being selected as a first-round pick in 2011, Alec Burks has mostly been used as an NBA trade chip between teams. However, with the Philadelphia 76ers, who he joined after leaving Golden State Warriors, Burks settled as a bench player who provided a scoring punch when the starters rested.

Despite his good performances last season, Burks is not expected to be around next year as the Philadelphia 76ers will be looking to be active in the NBA trade market, and he can be used as a sweetener in a deal for a star. Burks' biggest asset is shooting, and multiple NBA teams will be looking to add him to a team-friendly deal.

#5- Norvel Pelle

Philadelphia 76ers Media Day

A 2-way contract player, Norvel Pelle is arguably the most expendable star on the Philadelphia 76ers roster. On February 7, 2020, Pelle's deal was converted to a standard contract from his 2-way deal, and he averaged 2 points and 3 rebounds along with a block in the limited minutes he got with the team.

Doc Rivers likes to field a small-ball line-up, and that could mean the end of Pelle's Philadelphia 76ers tenure. The 76ers are looking for ways to acquire a third star, and Pelle might either be used in an NBA trade or could be cut from the roster to save cap space.

---