In the wake of James Harden requesting a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, one NBA writer is proposing that the Minnesota Timberwolves acquire The Beard from the Sixers. Lee Tran of Fadeaway World proposed the following trade between the Timberwolves and Sixers:
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, 2030 First-Round Pick Swap (MIN favoring PHI)
“The Minnesota Timberwolves are a team that is clearly in need of a veteran point guard,” Tran wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Though Mike Conley is a solid player, he isn’t necessarily the sort of player that makes the team a championship contender. The team clearly wants to win immediately, given that they traded a lot of assets for Rudy Gobert, and James Harden helps with that goal.
“Anthony Edwards and James Harden would make a dynamic offensive backcourt, and adding Harden would relieve a lot of Edwards’ playmaking duties, allowing him to focus primarily on scoring the basketball. Harden’s passing would also get the best out of Rudy Gobert, who struggled at times in the Timberwolves’ offense without the presence of an elite lob thrower (prior to the Mike Conley trade).”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Minnesota Timberwolves & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
In 58 games for the Sixers last season, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line. He led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
The Sixers agreed to search out a trade upon Harden’s request after he agreed to pick up his $35.6 million player option for next season in June. However, Philadelphia’s asking price for Harden was steep and no teams were willing or able to meet it.
Harden intends to never play for the Sixers again. He’s unhappy with Daryl Morey over the lack of a long-term maximum-level contract offer this summer. The 10-time NBA All-Star wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Sixers can trade him anywhere since he doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Minnesota Timberwolves & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Timberwolves would have a Big 4 of Harden, Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert if Minnesota’s front office figured out a way to acquire Harden. It will be fascinating to see if the Timberwolves call the Sixers about a Harden trade.
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