The Philadelphia 76ers were expected to have a difficult task in re-signing James Harden this offseason. Fans heard the Houston rumors for months, and it was never clear that Philly could keep the ten-time All-Star.
Shams Charania broke the news (subscription required) that Harden is opting in as the two sides work on a trade on Thursday afternoon. The 6’5 guard will make $35.6 million next season and will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024. If he gets dealt, his new team will be his fourth in the last four years, and Harden will be on an expiring deal.
Opting in allows Daryl Morey to trade him and get something in return, but what? Can the 76ers get serious value back? They appear hamstrung, but that has not stopped Morey in the past.
James Harden trades that keep the 76ers in title contention
5. Harden goes back to Houston
James Harden played nine seasons with the Rockets, and it is his second home. Fans have heard about his desire to return all season. Could the 76ers trade him back to Houston? The young Rockets hired Ime Udoka and are eager to get back into contention. What would they be willing to give up to get Harden?
It would be surprising if the Rockets gave up any of their recent top draft choices, but the Sixers may be able to convince them to part with a couple of picks. Philadelphia could turn those selections into help for Joel Embiid, and they would likely target someone like Kevin Porter Jr. in return. KPJ could be the 76ers’ sixth man, and it would open up a larger role for Tyrese Maxey.
This is not the most exciting trade for the Philadelphia 76ers, but it gives Morey and the front office flexibility to make additional moves to bolster their roster around Joel Embiid.
4. Challenge trade with Chicago
Can the 76ers trade James Harden for another All-Star? It would be surprising, but the Chicago Bulls just re-signed Nikola Vucevic. They are also rumored to be shopping Zach LaVine and are looking for a point guard upgrade this offseason. Could the Bulls pull off a shocking deal for Harden?
Consider this extremely unlikely, but nobody expected Chicago to acquire DeMar DeRozan, either. The Bulls are not afraid to make moves and bold ones at that. This could be just the type of challenge trade that interests both sides.
Philadelphia is committed to staying in contention. They have the reigning MVP in Joel Embiid and a roster built to win. Trading Harden for LaVine may not be ideal, but it keeps a second All-Star next to Embiid and gives them plenty of firepower. Teams would struggle to stop Embiid, LaVine, and Maxey, but it would be on new head coach Nick Nurse to maximize the three.
The Bulls get more of a playmaker and facilitator around DeRozan and Vucevic as they try to get into the title picture. It is a wild idea that is certainly unlikely, but the Bulls are the only ones that just might consider it.
3. Suns go all-in in wild 3-teamer
The Suns are trying to trade Deandre Ayton, and they got close to moving him to Dallas on draft night. Could the two sides resurrect that deal with James Harden being the piece that heads to Phoenix and the role players to Philadelphia?
This would be the 76ers selling extremely low on James Harden, but it would give them three rotation pieces to put around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The Suns do not have any draft capital to trade and Dallas is not interested in giving the 76ers any in a deal they could make themselves with Phoenix.
Harden leaving in free agency is no longer an option, so the Sixers have to decide how to maximize the return. Are three role players enough to keep them in title contention? Bullock could be the 3-and-D wing Philadelphia needs and Tim Hardaway Jr. would be a key shot-maker around Embiid and Maxey. The return may not look like much, but the 76ers would remain dangerous.
The Suns would be the crazy team here. Acquiring James Harden would blow them past the second tax apron and give them four superstars. Their new owner Mat Ishbia is not afraid to make a splash, but this one could backfire massively.
2. Knicks make a splash as 76ers add depth
The New York Knicks have been star-hunting since they acquired Jalen Brunson last summer. Could this finally be their chance to land a marquee talent that pushes them to the next level? James Harden is a ten-time All-Star, but he is not without his playoff warts. Is he the star player that Leon Rose and the Knicks go in for?
This one seems outlandish, but the Knicks could choose Harden. If they do, the trade likely looks like this.
The 76ers take back three role players, including the still-developing R.J. Barrett for the 34-year-old Haden. It is a hefty price, but the Knicks do not give up any draft picks. They keep the door open to acquire the next superstar that hits the market with Julius Randle or James Harden to offer as matching salary.
The 76ers would love to get Immanuel Quickley and R.J. Barrett. Both could continue to improve in the City of Brotherly Love and take their games to the next level. The Sixers may immediately be a better team if they can convince the Knicks to take James Harden off their hands.
The New York Knicks are one of the teams rumored to be interested, but will they be the team that acquires James Harden? It appears another franchise is leading the pack.
1. 76ers add depth as James Harden heads to LA
The Clippers are hoping to trade Norman Powell and Marcus Morris Sr. in hopes of getting a point guard. They would love to add a third star that allows them to contend for a championship. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have struggled to stay healthy, but the Clippers are still one of the best teams on paper. Adding a superstar like James Harden would strike fear in any opposing team if all three are healthy.
This is an all-in move by the Clippers. They only have two first-round draft picks to trade, but they could be getting the missing piece of their puzzle. There would be a massive bust risk here, but do not be surprised to see owner Steve Balmer and the front office push everything into the middle to acquire Harden.
The Philadelphia 76ers get two role players and two first-round picks that can help them improve their roster. Daryl Morey would not be done if this is the deal. Expect both draft choices to immediately go on the trade block in search of more help around Joel Embiid.
The Sixers plan on trading James Harden, but what will they get in return? They must stay in title contention to keep Embiid happy, so stay tuned. It feels like the drama is just starting.
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