Sixers Podcast: Harden free agency update + Bradley Beal trade

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Sixer Sense Podcast returns following a brief hiatus and dives right into an update on James Harden’s free agency. The Houston Rockets’ interest in Harden appears to have lessened, as expected, and a return to the Sixers seems more and more likely. The hope is that Harden will agree to another team-friendly deal, for the second year in a row, however, what that deal looks like is proof that the devil will be in the details. Can the Sixers and Harden both win in these negotiations?

In more Sixers news, Montrezl Harrell has surprisingly declined his player option for the 2023-24 NBA season. The market does not appear to be knocking down the door for Harrell so this move is confusing, to say the least, but the Sixers save $2.5 million with this contract off the books. Will Harrell be able to find another NBA team or will he be out of the league next year?

Lucas Johnson and Jonathan Geib then turn the conversation to the Washington Wizardl rebuild mode. In the last few days, they have completely redirected the future of their franchise. First up, Bradley Beal is involved in a pending trade to the Phoenix Suns. In return, the Wizards received Landry Shamet and Chris Paul, the latter of whom will likely never play a game in a Washington uniform. The Suns and new owner Mat Ishbia are going superstar hunting and foregoing all of their future picks to do it. Lucas and Jonathan debate the winners and losers of this trade.

Washington also made a last-minute trade sending Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics will definitely benefit from a stretch four and the Wizards continue to get younger and stockpile draft picks. With Kyle Kuzma also opting out of his player option with the Wizards to become a free agent, the franchise appears to be “Processing”.

The podcast closes out with a brief discussion about the NBA Draft Thursday night. Even though the Sixers do not have a pick in this year’s draft, there is still genuine interest from all basketball fans. Tonight, Victor Wembanyama is finally drafted into the league.

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