With only a tad more than a week before the 2023-24 NBA season officially kicks off, the Philadelphia 76ers still find themselves stuck at crossroads with regard to the fate of James Harden. Unfortunately, with each passing day, the same old redundant tidbits flood the newsstand, to the point where it’s highly likely that the team will have to do with him still in the loop to start their campaign off.
Once again, the LA Clippers remain the only team with firm interest in trading for the former MVP. But that has been an idle wheel for quite some time now, and their refusal to bid against themselves has prevented both camps from agreeing on a potential deal despite the clear benefits to the clubs involved.
Do the 76ers have another bona fide suitor for James Harden?
A quick glance at the team expected to be in the pool to compete for a championship is not particularly inspiring for those cogitating the long overdue scenario of a relatively clean, Harden-less slate for Philly. However, there could be one team that presents an ideal fit for him at this stage in his career — a team that actually was just three wins away from hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy last season — the Miami Heat.
The Heat’s core remains the same at large, but considering the massive buffs their fierce rivals gained in the offseason, it’s only natural for them to covet a player than can put them on equal footing. Here’s how the 76ers can “help” them do just that while they solidify the team in hopes of a big bounce-back season after a disappointing semifinals exit in the postseason.