Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F Kyle Anderson, Tyus Jones, Dillon Brooks, 2022 First-Round Pick (UTA), 2024 First-Round Pick (MEM), 2026 First-Round Pick (MEM)
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: G James Harden
There are several caveats that need to be addressed here.
Firstly, all of Harden, Anderson, and Jones are due to hit free agency this summer. This deal is only made possible through a series of sign-and-trades. Secondly, yes, we are aware that Philadelphia 76ers fans are already booing us over this proposal.
Reality check time: Harden is a distressed asset. He just shot 9 shots in an elimination game. He’s 32 and nursing what seems to be a chronic hamstring injury.
Years of playing hard, working out hard, and partying hard all at the same time may have caught up to him. James Harden is not the same beard that has been long feared in the National Basketball Association.
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With this deal, the 76ers recoup some value for him before it’s too late. They get three high-quality rotation players and three first-round picks. In fact, if Tyrese Maxey takes the star leap many are expecting, this could give them the best team they’ve had during the Embiid era.
In fact, the more we think about it, it might be Memphis fans reigning boo’s over this trade. They’re giving up three vital role players and three first-rounders for a guy who may never look the part of a top 5 player again.
There might still be another way to land Harden in Memphis.
