Grading the 5 worst James Harden trades on the internet: Utah Jazz
As noted on previous slides, some of the top reasons for trades being graded low are a lack of draft capital, players that don’t fit the Philadelphia 76ers’ vision, and simply a return that is too small. This trade hits all of those points.
76ers receive: Jordan Clarkson, Kelly Olynyk
Jazz receive: James Harden
James Piercy of NBA Analysis Network concocted this deal in the middle of August, but it wouldn’t be able to go through until the trade deadline, as Jordan Clarkson was just extended and cannot be moved until then. Regardless, this deal would be a complete and utter disaster for the 76ers.
Obviously, the James Harden situation is tricky. Teams will be rightfully hesitant to trade for him as he’s in the final year of his contract and has a history of drama.
However, if this is the best Daryl Morey can scrounge up for Harden on the trade market, Philadelphia fans would riot in the streets and Joel Embiid may retire the second the deal goes through.
Clarkson and Kelly Olynyk are fine players. Both would help the 76ers win. But neither is good enough to highlight a trade for Harden, and both are over 30 years old.
And to make matters worse, the 76ers would get zero draft picks back in this deal. They should be focusing on adding talent anyway, but the fact that they’re only getting Clarkson and Olynyk and still getting zero picks in this trade is a tough look.
Grade: F