Grade the Trade: 76ers get unexpected proposed package for James Harden

James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers - Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers - Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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The Philadelphia 76ers have been working double time in their attempt to finally forge a conclusion to their ugly ordeal with James Harden, but their reluctance to budge from their lofty goalpost — the kind that has thrown off any potential suitor so far — has been the main culprit behind the now-severed link still being attached to some degree.

With the 2023-24 season now less than a month away, it would be in the franchise’s best interest to recover stability as soon as possible so as to not waste another year of holding out with a disgruntled star and wasting Joel Embiid’s dominant prime. Inevitably, the front office will have no other choice but to smartly settle for the best offer available.

At this point, the Philadelphia 76ers have limited options in their quest to trade James Harden

Since the dawn of Harden’s trade request, Philadelphia’s brass has made it crystal clear that they will actively be in the hunt for a star player or an asset for the future, be it a young player or draft capital. So far, no team has been willing to meet those demands, and realistically speaking, given that Harden will enter free agency next year anyway, the market could very well remain dry.

One option that the 76ers have, however, is to venture out and seek well-fitting players who, while not as flashy as Harden or any other star, could eventually prove to be sterling enough to keep the team afloat as contenders. In fact, here is one trade proposal that has the team getting an unexpected return package for the former MVP.