In the wake of James Harden requesting a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, one NBA writer is proposing that the Sacramento Kings acquire the 10-time All-Star. Doric Sam of Bleacher Report proposed that the Kings trade Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, Davion Mitchell, Trey Lyles and draft picks to the Sixers for Harden.
“If the Sixers hope to trade Harden out of the conference, another California team could be a viable trade partner,” Sam wrote. “The Sacramento Kings are hoping to build off the momentum of last season’s third-place finish in the West and could be open to a splash move this offseason. The Kings have multiple assets such as Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, Davion Mitchell and Trey Lyles to potentially include in a trade for the 2018 NBA MVP.”
Speaking at an event in China as part of a marketing tour for Adidas, Harden called Sixers president Daryl Morey a liar and told fans that he won’t play for Philadelphia again. Harden is unhappy with Morey over the lack of a long-term maximum-level contract offer this summer. The former NBA MVP only wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Sixers can trade Harden anywhere since the superstar guard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
The Kings would have a lethal Big 3 of Harden, De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis if the franchise landed Harden, who averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from 3 and 86.7% from the free-throw line last season. He led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Sacramento Kings & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Sixers have ended trade talks involving Harden and plan to bring him back to training camp for the start of next season. However, Harden doesn’t plan to report to training camp.
If Harden isn’t traded before training camp starts and he holds out for more than 30 days, the Sixers can prevent him from entering free agency next summer, according to NBA insider Zach Lowe of ESPN. Since Harden is in the final year of his contract, different NBA holdout rules would apply to him if he decided not to report to training camp and play.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Sacramento Kings & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
It will be fascinating to see where Harden is playing next season. The Kings, who lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs in seven games, haven’t been linked to Harden, so they likely won’t acquire him.
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