The Philadelphia 76ers will look significantly different after February’s trade deadline if James Harden has his way. The ten-time All-Star has requested a trade and appears to be drawing a line in the sand on playing for the Sixers again. President Daryl Morey is not interested in trading Harden at a discount. He wants a massive return that keeps Philly in contention, but that package is not coming.
Things will get messy, but the 76ers will trade the ten-time All-Star for the top available package. They cannot slip from contention, which will force Morey to look for upgrades at the deadline. Philadelphia’s assets are limited, but they cannot afford to slide and risk Joel Embiid requesting a trade.
Tobias Harris is on a $39.2 million expiring contract, which gives the Sixers plenty of options in trades. They could dangle Harris as a matching salary in a blockbuster. Morey is never afraid to make an aggressive move, but who will be available?
Players Philadelphia 76ers might replace Tobias Harris with by the trade deadline
10. Terry Rozier
The Sixers will need another ball-handler and playmaker after James Harden’s departure. They want Tyrese Maxey to take a step forward, but asking him to be the lead facilitator is a stretch. Maxey’s scoring and time on the ball will increase but do not expect him to average seven assists per game.
Rozier gives Philly a starting point guard who can run an offense and space the floor. He is a career 36.7 percent 3-point shooter who has averaged over 20 points per game in two of the last three seasons. He is not a star, but the 6’1 point guard gives the 76ers another scorer and offensive weapon.
The Philadelphia 76ers are not just going to swap Terry Rozier for Tobias Harris. This could be part of a multiple-player deal that could send Miles Bridges or Gordon Hayward to Philadelphia with the 29-year-old point guard. It may not be the perfect fit as Daryl Morey has been unwilling to add future salary, but it is an avenue worth exploring, especially if the franchise has a desperate need at the one.