The James Harden drama is officially over in Philadelphia
By Nick Butler
The James Harden saga has reached its end as Harden has been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Daryl Morey has agreed to terms with the Clippers, and this could partially be because Morey doesn’t want to ruin the on-court chemistry building between Embiid and Maxey.
While we know Morey was looking for both Terrance Mann and 2 first-round picks to be involved in the deal, it seems like he settled in order to improve the bench.
The Sixers are acquiring Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, multiple draft picks and a pick swap for James Harden, PJ Tucker and Filip Petrusev, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/fSOkgO5xd3
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2023
The Clippers are sending the Sixers a 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks and a pick swap, sources tell ESPN. The Clippers are also routing the 76ers an additional future first-round pick from a third team.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2023
The Sixers also made a corresponding move waiving SG Danny Green to open up a roster spot as well. Green only played one game for Philly since returning and had 1 assist and 1 steal.
As this saga comes to a halt, the question remains whether the Sixers or the Nets have won the blockbuster Simmons/Harden trade. To this day, it feels like the Sixers won having beat the Nets in the playoffs and now flipped Harden for depth and 2 first-round picks.
With PJ Tucker in the deal, it will be interesting to see who Nick Nurse will throw into the starting lineup now having added Robert Covington, Kenyon Martin Jr, Marcus Morris, and Nic Batum. Robert Covington seems like the best option to slide into the lineup with Martin Jr, Morris, and Batum being added bench pieces.
So, what is Nick Nurse’s lineup looking like moving forward?
Projected starters
Maxey, Melton, Harris, Covington, Embiid
Projected bench
Oubre Jr, Springer, Beverly, Martin Jr, Morris, Reed, House Jr, Batum, Bamba, Korkmaz
For the first time in a long time, it seems like the Sixers might have some bench depth and also some options to throw into Nick Nurse’s free-flowing system. A lot of fans are going to be upset about Harden and Tucker being traded but this is going to be the first of many moves later on closer to the trade deadline.
This is just the beginning Sixers fans. Get ready because Morey is going to be star-hunting at the deadline!
