The Philadelphia 76ers and James Harden are in a tough spot.
Everything started when it was announced that Harden would opt into his player option for next season but request a trade away from the 76ers. The 76ers were expected to concede and get whatever they could.
However, after a few weeks of little news, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the 76ers had halted trade talks and were planning on bringing Harden into training camp.
Obviously, anyone who knows Harden’s history knew this wasn’t going to sit well with him. He essentially forced his way off the Houston Rockets and proceeded to do the same with the Brooklyn Nets.
But this time around, Harden took things to the next level. Instead of letting his actions shape a narrative created by the media, he made sure to let his intentions be known himself.
While at a basketball camp in China, Harden took to the microphone, stating that “Daryl Morey [the GM of the 76ers] is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”
https://twitter.com/TomerAzarly/status/1691032541531422720
Harden repeated himself, making the same exact statement twice, in a video that has gone absolutely viral on Twitter. Now, the 76ers find themselves in quite the pickle.
It’s become evidently clear that Harden has no intention of suiting up for the 76ers next year, so Philadelphia’s hands may be tied. They could wait it out and just let him sit out a season, but that would be wasting a year of Joel Embiid.
Teams like the LA Clippers and Chicago Bulls have popped up as potential destinations (via various betting odds), but what about the teams nobody is talking about?
Let’s take a look at five potential Harden trades the 76ers could do to send him somewhere nobody is expecting.
Spoiler alert: Most NBA teams probably aren’t too eager to trade legitimate star power and assets for a disgruntled star heading into the final year of his contract who is almost certainly a flight risk next summer.
5 James Harden-76ers trades to teams nobody is expecting: Miami Heat
Everyone has their eyes on the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers as the two sides attempt to figure out a trade for Damian Lillard, and rightfully so. That’s been the expectation all summer.
But what if the Heat wanted to get in on the action for James Harden? Could they, one, get tired of the Trail Blazers’ negotiations and pivot to Harden, or, two, land both star guards?
76ers receive: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith, 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap)
Heat receive: Damian Lillard, James Harden, Furkan Korkmaz, Danuel House Jr.
Trail Blazers receive: Kyle Lowry, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2028 First-Round Pick, 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap), 2030 First-Round Pick
The answer two both “could they” questions is yes. There is technically a world where the Heat could land both Harden and Lillard in one giant three-team trade, and it would look something like this.
Tyler Herro has quickly become one of the league’s most underrated players. Just because the Trail Blazers don’t want him (because they already have two starting guards) doesn’t mean he’s not valuable.
He’s still only 23 years old and would create a talented young backcourt with Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia. Plus, the 76ers would get some shooting with Duncan Robinson and a solid role player in Haywood Highsmith.
Miami would come out like bandits in this deal, forming a core four of Harden, Lillard, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo moving forward.
Meanwhile, the 76ers would get a bit younger and lose a bit of talent, but with Harden all but demanding a trade away from the team, the offers may not be what Daryl Morey is looking for.
This package isn’t great for Philadelphia, but teams aren’t going to be chomping at the bit to give away major assets for a disgruntled star who has made it clear he has no intentions of playing for the 76ers next year.
5 James Harden-76ers trades to teams nobody is expecting: Toronto Raptors
This is another package that will underwhelm most Philadelphia 76ers fans, and Daryl Morey would probably be against making it, but again, what teams are eager to trade for James Harden right now? Maybe the Toronto Raptors would take a chance
76ers receive: Gary Trent Jr., Chris Boucher, Gradey Dick, 2026 First-Round Pick (Top-14 Protected), 2027 Second-Round Pick, 2029 Second-Round Pick
Raptors receive: James Harden
Philadelphia wouldn’t get back a major scorer in this deal and would be depending on Tyrese Maxey to step into a much larger role, but that could be a good thing.
With Gary Trent Jr. next to him in the backcourt, Maxey would focus on the offensive end while Trent helps on defense and hits his open threes.
Chris Boucher would give the 76ers a new backup four/five to run with, and new head coach would be very familiar with both him and Trent.
Meanwhile, the 76ers would also add a lottery pick in Gradey Dick, who they could hopefully develop into a young star next to Maxey, as the Kansas product is one of the best shooters in his class.
Philadelphia would get a protected first-round pick in 2026 and a couple of seconds to round out this iffy package. Dick would be the most eyebrow-raising part of this deal, and Nurse’s connection to the Toronto guys would also provide some intrigue, but the 76ers would probably look elsewhere.
5 James Harden-76ers trades to teams nobody is expecting: Orlando Magic
Last year, the Orlando Magic showed off some serious potential, so would they have any interest in taking on James Harden as a rental in an attempt to make a push next year?
76ers receive: Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, 2025 Second-Round Pick, 2028 Second-Round Pick
Magic receive: James Harden
Adding one year of Harden to a core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Wendell Carter Jr. would help the team next year, and the cost wouldn’t be too bad.
Harden’s playmaking and scoring would complement Banchero and Wagner well while also giving Suggs an extra year of coming off the bench, this time behind an All-Star-caliber guard.
Plus, Orlando would be giving up two players on expiring contracts and another guy who hasn’t played consistently in the past few years.
For the 76ers, Fultz’s return would be fun, but he’s blossomed into a quality player with the Magic. He could play in the backcourt with Tyrese Maxey, while Cole Anthony would act as a high-tier sixth man.
Jonathan Isaac would be a risky addition, but if the 76ers could get him back onto the court for any amount of time, it would be a win.
Plus, with Fultz’s contract coming off the books next summer and Isaac’s deal being not fully guaranteed, the 76ers could open up some serious cap space next summer.
Overall, this isn’t a great deal for a 76ers team hoping to compete, but the Magic would probably consider it, and Philadelphia would get okay depth.
5 James Harden-76ers trades to teams nobody is expecting: Minnesota Timberwolves
Last year, the Minnesota Timberwolves pushed their chips on the table, adding Rudy Gobert in a blockbuster trade. And since that experiment largely failed, could they get involved in the James Harden sweepstakes?
76ers receive: Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, Wendell Moore Jr., 2028 First-Round Pick (Swap), 2029 Second-Round Pick
Timberwolves receive: James Harden
The Timberwolves would create a lineup that includes Harden, Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Gobert in hopes of making a serious playoff run next year.
Harden’s playmaking would take over next to the scoring of Edwards and Towns, with Gobert still acting as Minnesota’s defensive anchor on the other end of the court.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers would add a veteran presence in the backcourt in Mike Conley, who would be an amazing mentor for Tyrese Maxey. Conley’s also capable of playing off the ball, opening up more opportunities for Maxey within the offense.
Kyle Anderson is also a great depth piece for Philadelphia, as the veteran forward enjoyed a career season this past year, doing a little bit of everything on the court.
Lastly, the 76ers would get a young prospect in Wendell Moore Jr., as well as a first-round pick swap. Again, it’s not a great return, but considering the situation, it’s not awful.
The 76ers would again open up cap space next summer in a deal like this, as both Conley and Anderson are entering the final years of their respective contracts.
5 James Harden-76ers trades to teams nobody is expecting: Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets have been unable to figure things out over the past few seasons. Are they desperate enough to take a big swing on one year of James Harden?
76ers receive: Terry Rozier, Cody Martin, Nick Richards, 2027 First-Round Pick (Top-10 Protected), 2026 Second-Round Pick, 2028 Second-Round Pick
Hornets receive: James Harden
Charlotte would be able to roll out a starting lineup of Harden, LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, PJ Washington (if he re-signs ), and Mark Williams heading into next season.
Obviously, Harden will be able to leave Charlotte next summer, as he will be an unrestricted free agent, but would this Hornets team be good enough to snap the team’s playoff drought? Could they compete in a first-round playoff series?
If the Hornets accomplished either of those things, this deal may be worth considering, especially considering the experience Ball and Bridges would get.
For the 76ers, Daryl Morey almost certainly wants to get a better return than this, but Terry Rozier is a solid player, He and Tyrese Maxey could hold things down in the backcourt.
Cody Martin and Nick Richards may not be well-known names, but both are decent bench pieces. Martin is a great defender and a solid shooter, while Richards would be a decent backup center option.
Add in the first-round pick and two seconds, it would be an okay return, but again, nowhere close to what the 76ers probably want for Harden.