Assume a significant shakeup to start out free agency, as Sixers guard James Harden—once greatly expected to return to Philadelphia—now programs to choose into the remaining 12 months of his agreement so the Sixers can trade him, for every a number of reports. Harden has around $36.5 million remaining in the closing calendar year of his offer. He averaged 21. points and 10.7 assists for every video game for the Sixers past year. If moved, Harden, who will be 34 in August, will be enjoying for his fourth team considering that 2020.
Let’s operate by some pretend trades for the former MVP, and what could essentially make feeling for all parties.
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Harden in Hollywood
Clippers obtain: James Harden
76ers receive: Norm Powell, Marcus Morris Sr.
The Clips are rumored to be in the functioning for Harden, and he would satisfy the team’s years-extended quest to discover a point guard/distributor for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. On paper, the in shape would be practical. Harden looked snug as a third option with Brooklyn, and playing with two perimeter scorers lessens what you’d need from him in the postseason, which appears to be important at this point in his vocation. The challenge is, if Kawhi and PG aren’t wholesome, can L.A. count on Harden to stage up and carry the load?
This swap would also subtly aid the Clips thoroughly clean up their textbooks. Harden will be a cost-free agent upcoming summer time as he simply cannot indicator an extension if traded. Let’s say the experiment blows up, with Leonard and George holding participant solutions, L.A. could theoretically go on from all its stars following offseason. With a new arena set to open up, that appears not likely. At the exact time, considering the diminishing returns of the Kawhi-PG period so far, an all-or-nothing at all transfer can make sense on some level.
As for the Sixers, Powell is a plug-and-play 3-and-D option who can start out future to Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt. Although Powell is signed by 2026, his deal is exceedingly fair for a part player. Morris would give a first rate frontcourt solution as properly, and his expiring deal wouldn’t clog the guides.
This is the deal that would feel to make the most persons satisfied.
Back again to the Major Apple
Knicks get: James Harden
76ers get: R.J. Barrett, Evan Fournier
Perhaps Harden nevertheless has the place he lived in when he performed for the Nets? Because in any other case, I don’t feel the Knicks make perception as a spot. The match with Jalen Brunson is clunky, and probably adding a different playoff underperformer following to Julius Randle could lead to riots outside the house of Madison Sq. Backyard garden.
I’m also not absolutely sure why Philly would do this. Fournier is on an expiring offer. The Sixers would have to genuinely really like Barrett to do this, and I’m not positive his potential—whatever it is—is worthy of the gamble while Embiid is nevertheless in his key.
New York does not truly have contracts to shift usually. The Sixers never need Mitchell Robinson. I don’t see any individual getting on the Randle agreement in the next-apron period. Fournier and Josh Hart also doesn’t seem to be like adequate, even if Philly is primarily trying to dump Harden.
I only see a Knicks go going on if a 3rd group gets included.
The Two Jims
Heat get: James Harden, Furkan Korkmaz
Sixers obtain: Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson
The Heat are another crew said to be monitoring the Harden sweepstakes. Equivalent to the Clippers, Miami makes this move because Harden is an upgrade in excess of Lowry, and his expiring offer would considerably enable the workforce clean up up its income sheet subsequent summertime if they slide short of a championship. I really do not see the Heat attaining Harden unless they move on from a single of their for a longer period contracts, for the reason that Miami’s cap is in rough shape. Specifically taking into consideration Miami’s reluctance to pay out a significant tax invoice, Harden would seriously have to get into #HeatCulture to make the shorter-expression value value it for ownership.
On the other hand, this would be largely a punt for Philly. It is a worse variation of the Clippers offer. Robinson has confirmed he can be a postseason impact participant, and he’d actually be a wonderful healthy future to Embiid, but wouldn’t the Sixers want a lot more back? Lowry is most likely ideal served as a backup at this place, however he could start following to Maxey. His expiring deal would be of value to Philly. Sufficient to just take a action back as a contender, nonetheless? I’m skeptical.
