Philadelphia 76ers

Ever since news broke of Russell Westbrook wanting to be traded by the Houston Rockets and James Harden turning down a $50M/year contract extension because he wanted to be traded, the Philadelphia 76ers have been heavily linked to Harden mainly because of GM Daryl Morey’s departure from the Rockets.

Morey was named the new President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers after agreeing to step down as GM of the Rockets, which is why the Harden to Philly rumors started in the first place.

However, James Harden going to the Philadelphia 76ers would be the best move the 76ers’ organization has ever made. There is no question that Joel Embiid is arguably the most dominant center in the NBA and Ben Simmons is one of the league’s best two-way players, but they are missing scoring on this team. They do not have anyone on their roster that you feel comfortable with the basketball in the final few seconds of the game. 

The 76ers have invested a lot of money in Tobias Harris to be an X-Factor for this team, but seemed to take a step back in the opposite direction last season. Although he is a gifted player, Tobias Harris cannot be “the guy” for Philly and is nothing more than a third or fourth option on a contending team. 

Giving up what it takes to bring in James Harden not only makes the Philadelphia 76ers the best team in the NBA, but it gives them “their guy.” Harden can completely change this 76ers organization for the better and be the one who leads them to their first championship since 1983. 

Last season, the 76ers ranked 20th in the NBA in total scoring and 19th in total three-pointers made per game. Today’s game is so heavily reliant on the three-point shot, which is something the Sixers are lacking. Every championship team over the last five seasons, excluding the Lakers last season, have been dominant perimeter-oriented teams.

Moving Ben Simmons to the frontcourt with Joel Embiid not only makes the 76ers one of the best teams in the paint, but allows James Harden to make this team one of the best perimeter-shooting teams as well. Harden would have others next to him in the backcourt that can knock down shots and with his scoring ability, the Philadelphia 76ers would be the best offensive team in the league. 

If they can convince the Houston Rockets to trade James Harden, the Philadelphia 76ers need to give up whatever the Rockets ask for in order to bring Harden to “The City of Brotherly Love.”