Negotiating is difficult. Nobody wants to lose a negotiation – that’s what makes them so difficult. That’s true in the NBA as well. Teams are constantly negotiating, and both sides want to win.
To win a negotiation, you need leverage. If you lose it, you should expect to lose the negotiation. With that in mind, the Philadelphia 76ers look primed to take a loss. James Harden has made his desire to play elsewhere very clear. This team has no leverage.
Meanwhile, Harden is a free agent next summer. The Sixers have two choices. They can trade Harden as soon as possible, or lose him for nothing. That second option is untenable. So, the Sixers may have to take pennies on the dollar. Could they take them from the Minnesota Timberwolves?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G Mike Conley, F Kyle Anderson, G/F Wendell Moore Jr., 2030 First-Round Pick (Swap – MIN)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G James Harden
With that said, Harden has made a habit of leaving his teams with minimal leverage lately. This is his third trade request in three seasons. Did the Brooklyn Nets get a good return for him? How about the Houston Rockets?
Well, the Nets did not. We can say that pretty safely. The Nets received Ben Simmons and a first-round pick in exchange for Harden. Simmons fell out of this team’s rotation last season. That’s a meager return for a recent MVP candidate.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
As for the Rockets? The return was better. At the time, it was widely panned. The Rockets received four unprotected first-round picks and three pick swaps – and no significant players. With that said, it’s the best return a team has gotten for Harden. Should the Sixers accept this modest return?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
They’re not going to have much of a choice. To review, Harden has requested his third trade in three seasons. He’s in the last season of his contract. Harden is a massive flight risk. Any team that’s willing to take a chance on him is likely to match his contract and do little else.
Where does that leave the Sixers? We’re not sure. It’s been suggested that Joel Embiid could request a trade soon. This team may be on the decline. With that said, if they’re winning games, they could convince Embiid to stay. Could they win games with the roster they’d have after this deal?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
We think so. Embiid and Tyrese Maxey still give the Sixers a star duo. They’ll have some newfound depth following this deal too. Conley should be a great fit for this roster, and Anderson is a good rotation player. Should the Wolves give them both up for Harden?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
It’s crazy. The Wolves are getting a superstar at a major discount here. Yet, we can’t say it’s a no-brainer. We’ve got more reservations for the Timberwolves than we do for the Sixers in this deal.
Yet, they should probably make it. They’re getting James Harden. He’s by far the best player in this deal. His fit with the Wolves should be good as well. Harden and Rudy Gobert ought to form a devastating pick-and-roll dup, and we’ve seen athletic guards like Anthony Edwards thrive alongside Harden and his elite playmaking.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Meanwhile, the Wolves just clued up a disappointing 2022-23 season. This team needs to do something. Acquiring Harden could launch them into title contention. If it doesn’t? At least they won the negotiation.
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