James Harden Trade Rumors: 5 Role Players Sixers May Target

There has been no shortage of trade rumors involving James Harden this offseason. His preference remains a one-way ticket, at least if sourced reports are taken as true, to Los Angeles where he can team up with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. That would be Harden’s ideal scenario.

However, what is good for Harden isn’t necessarily good for the Philadelphia 76ers. Traction on a trade to the Clippers hasn’t been greased. There is a general feeling that Harden will report to Sixers’ training camp in late September unless a miracle deal comes together in the coming weeks.

It’s unclear how everything will play out there — for instance, would Harden be a malcontent at camp? Would he arrive in tip-top physical shape? — and it would be naive to think that Daryl Morey isn’t entertaining all offers, even ones netting less than what Harden is worth.

So, with those thoughts in mind, let’s investigate some super low-budget, under-the-radar moves for the Sixers:

(Note: every one of these potential trades would be part of a bigger, multi-player package)

1. Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland, Los Angeles Clippers: Word on the street is that Terance Mann is off-limits in any trade scenario. The Clippers value his versatility and consider the 26-year role player a future building block. However, Hyland is the new kid on the block coming over in a trade last February. He is a good ball-handler with a lethal three-point shot, two necessary traits to have around Joel Embiid who excels at finding open shooters on the perimeter.

Hyland has averaged 10.9 points per game, with a 36.8% percentage from beyond the arc in 125 career games. The Wilmington, Delaware native already has some history at Wells Fargo Center stemming from what he did to the Sixers on March 14, 2022. He torched the hometown team for 21 points in 31 minutes, including four soul-crushing triples in the final seven minutes to cap off a 114-110 victory for the Denver Nuggets.

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