In the wake of James Harden requesting a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, one NBA writer is proposing that the Utah Jazz acquire the 10-time All-Star. Doric Sam of Bleacher Report proposed that the Jazz trade Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, Kris Dunn, Talen Horton-Tucker and draft picks to the Sixers for Harden.
“Another team with assets to play with is the Utah Jazz, who could package together players like Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, Kris Dunn and Talen Horton-Tucker along with draft picks to persuade the Sixers to let go of Harden,” Sam wrote.
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 doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
The Jazz would have a lethal Big 4 of Harden, Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler and John Collins if the franchise landed Harden, who averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists while shooting 44.1% from the floor, 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, Utah Jazz & 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 in the summer of 2024, 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, Utah Jazz & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
It will be fascinating to see where Harden is playing next season. The Jazz haven’t been linked to Harden, so they probably won’t acquire him.
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