The New York Knicks could trade for Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Harden is working with the Sixers to get traded after opting into his 2023-24 player option. The former MVP wants a max contract, but Philadelphia has refused to give him one.
The Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers are both interested in trading for Harden, who averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists in 2023-23 while shooting 44.1% from the floor, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line. The 10-time All-Star led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
“Harden, 33, could’ve negotiated a new deal with the Sixers upon becoming a free agent, but decided with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey that they would start working on a way to move Harden less than two years after his arrival in a February 2022 trade with the Brooklyn Nets, sources said,” Wojnarowski wrote. “Among the teams expected to have an interest in acquiring Harden are the LA Clippers and New York Knicks, sources said.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & New York Knicks Updates
Harden is hopeful to find his way to a contending team in a trade scenario. The future Hall of Famer has never won a title. He has career averages of 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.0 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and Sixers.
The Knicks lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals in six games. It is believed that point guard Jalen Brunson is the only untouchable player in trade talks for New York. The Knicks could trade power forward Julius Randle and small forward RJ Barrett, along with other players and draft picks, for Harden.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & New York Knicks Updates
It will be fascinating to see where Harden is playing next season. The Sixers have already started making trade calls with teams, per Woj.
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