In today’s NBA, star players have preferences. So they should. Around the NBA, nobody generates more money and attention than the stars. The New York Knicks tend to get linked, too. They haven’t been linked to James Harden, though, but should they give the Philadelphia 76ers a call?
At the same time, those preferences have grown increasingly narrow. Look at this summer’s trade requests. Damian Lillard wants to leave the Portland Trail Blazers, and he only wants to join the Miami Heat. Meanwhile, Harden wants to leave the Sixers for the Los Angeles Clippers.
This puts the player’s teams in a predicament. Teams won’t pay market value for a player who doesn’t want to join them. Could the New York Knicks take a risk on Harden anyway? Here’s a deal that sends him there.
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, C Isaiah Hartenstein, G Immanuel Quickley, 2024 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G James Harden
With that said, there’s a lot of debate to be had about these trade requests. In fact, it’s difficult to land on one conclusion or another.
Why should these players settle for less than what they want? Again – Harden and Lillard are among the most important people in the NBA. They bring people to the stands. The league revolves around it’s best players. Why should they have to compromise their preferences to suit a team?
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On the other hand, this is throwing the league’s trade market off. It’s not good for the competitive balance of the league. Either way, it’s not likely to change for a long time. The league’s players are empowered. Is Harden likely to accept a trade to the Knicks?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
For the Knicks, this deal justified itself. They’re taking a buy-low opportunity. A player like James Harden isn’t typically available at this price. How could the Knicks say no?
Granted, they could have concerns about fit. the Knicks already have their point guard. Jalen Brunson just had a breakout season. Why would the Knicks reward him by signing a star player at his position?
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Well, we think Brunson and Harden could co-exist. They can both shoot, and there’s room for them, along with Julius Randle, to share ball-handling duties. All told, adding Harden will make this team more dynamic on the offensive end of the floor. If the Sixers are open to it, the Knicks should make it. Should the Sixers be open to it?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
On the other hand, this may not appeal to Sixers fans. We understand. This isn’t market value for James Harden. Unfortunately, that’s not something that the Sixers are likely to get.
Once again – Harden has requested a trade. He only wants to go to the Clippers. These are not ripe conditions for a trade. What’s more, Harden has made a habit of requesting trades in recent years. He’s also aging. The Sixers won’t get a superstar haul for him.
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With that in mind, this is at least something? Fournier’s contract is expiring – that’s a positive. Hartenstein would be the best backup that the Sixers have had behind Joel Embiid to date. Throw in an unprotected first, and this should be enough for the Sixers to part with Harden – even if they’re not sending him to his preferred destination.
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