Grade the Trade: 76ers keep up with Bucks, Celtics in blockbuster proposal

Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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76ers
James Harden, Zach LaVine, 76ers – Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers land All-Star guard Zach LaVine in this blue-chip trade proposal

In this trade proposal concocted by Bleacher Report, the Philadelphia 76ers send James Harden, Furkan Korkmaz, and an unprotected first-round draft pick in 2029 to the Chicago Bulls for All-Star guard Zach LaVine.

LaVine, a two-time All-Star, is signed for four more years with the final season of his contract being a player option. The Chicago Bulls have been absolutely stagnant as of late with their top-heavy, ill-fitting roster, and should ponder hard about the prospect of making yet another restart and move on from their Big Three of LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic.

While getting Harden may not be the ideal avenue to shed LaVine’s contract, this trade can give them a quick route toward clearing significant cap commitment moving forward while getting a first-round pick which could be tremendously lofty down the road. If anything, trading LaVine would also be the kickstart that Chicago needs to truly embrace a full-fledged rebuild.

For the 76ers, however, how does this trade proposal serve their needs? Will LaVine be enough of a ceiling-raiser and bring Philadelphia back to the upper echelon in the Eastern Conference? Let’s read into this deal a bit deeper.