The Philadelphia 76ers traded James Harden in 2023 to complete a messy breakup, but that move looks like the right one after the future Hall of Famer struggled in the playoffs with the Cavaliers. He struggled to make shots, especially in key games, and had 84 turnovers in 18 games. 76ers fans know the story well, and the biggest surprise was Cleveland overcoming the issues to reach the conference finals.
The Knicks swept the Cavs in the conference finals. Harden shot 39.6 percent from the field, 17.9 percent on his 3-point attempts, and Cleveland was outscored by 55 in his 148 minutes on the floor.
Morey traded Ben Simmons for Harden in 2022 and was ready to move on after just one and a half seasons. The Sixers reached the second round of the playoffs twice, but Harden no-showed late in both exits. The Beard was minus-45 in 80 minutes in Game 5 and 6 against the Heat in 2022 and was minus-40 in 84 minutes in Game 6 and 7 versus Boston in 2023. The Cavaliers saw a similar fate just one round later.
James Harden disappeared when the 76ers and Cavaliers needed him most
Sixers fans saw this coming for Harden from before Game 4. Nobody in Philadelphia was surprised he finished with 12 points on two of eight shooting with two assists and five turnovers. The Cavs were dominated in his minutes for this entire series. That is why Cleveland trading for him at the deadline was so baffling.
Everyone knew this was coming. Harden is 36 years old and has been to the playoffs 17 times. This is his fifth time reaching the conference finals, and Harden’s only NBA Finals appearance was in 2012.
He has a long history of melting down in big games. Nobody knew it better than Daryl Morey. It is why he forced him to take a pay cut and played hardball on an extension. It pushed Harden away from Philly (subscription required), but that is what the Sixers needed to do to be a serious title contender.
Harden keeps validating the 76ers stance. Cleveland made it to the conference finals with Harden averaging 4.8 turnovers and shooting 41.5 percent from the field. The Cavaliers topped the Raptors and Pistons to make it. Not exactly teams known for their elite offenses. Nobody is saying Harden was a positive factor in this playoff run. It made the Cavs trade look worse and had the 76ers feeling smart for cutting Harden when they did.
James Harden shot 33.3 percent from the field with 13 turnovers in the four Game 6 or Game 7s in the first and second rounds. He is a non-factor when the games matter most.
The Philadelphia 76ers were wise to trade James Harden when they did. He was never helping them win a championship, and Cavaliers fans are quickly finding out why. Harden’s impact shrinks in the biggest moments where Tyrese Maxey plays his best. The Sixers were wise to believe in their young guard and let him take over. Harden just validated it again three years later.
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