One NBA writer has proposed a James Harden trade between the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat since the 10-time All-Star is looking to get traded by the Sixers.
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report is proposing that the Heat trade Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Lowry, a 2024 first-round swap, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick to the Sixers for Harden.
“Landing Harden is safer for the Heat than most other teams,” Favale wrote. “They have the ability to insulate him defensively with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, and head coach Erik Spoelstra’s offensive stratagems are adaptable as hell. Cobbling together the right package gets thorny. This basically amounts to a one-year placeholder and first-round equity for the Sixers. They’d be mega flexible when Lowry, a Philadelphia native and Villanova alum, comes off the books next summer.
“But going this route far from optimizes the Joel Embiid timeline—unless they have other deals lined up. Philly can push for Tyler Herro’s inclusion. Whether that’s the right call is debatable.”
The Heat are interested in trading for Harden, according to NBA insider Shams Charania. Harden has opted into his 2023-24 player option and will work with the Sixers on a trade. The Heat, Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks have all been linked to “The Beard.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Miami Heat & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
One of the greatest players of all time, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists this past season while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line. The 2017-18 MVP led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
Harden has a reputation for partying a lot, which is why many people around the NBA don’t believe the Heat would be a good landing spot for the Arizona State product. Miami’s culture is built around practicing hard all the time, playing strong defense and players being in peak condition at all times.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Miami Heat & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
It will be fascinating to see where Harden is playing next season. The Heat could compete for a championship in 2023-24 with Harden in the fold, but Harden has to be focused and in shape and that hasn’t always been the case with the three-time scoring champion.
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