Trade requests are a part of life in the NBA. Stars have more control over their own destiny than they ever have before. Still, a star player’s powers have limits. If they make a habit of exercising them, they lose them.
Take James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers. He didn’t want to be on the Houston Rockets anymore. As a result, he created a robust trade market. Eventually, he was sent to the Brooklyn Nets. He didn’t want to stay on the Nets either. The market cooled on him, but the Philadelphia 76ers jumped at the opportunity to land him.
You know the rest. Now, Harden wants to be a Los Angeles Clipper. Meanwhile, the Clippers don’t seem interested in acquiring him. If the Sixers can find a team that’s willing to take a risk on Harden, they’ll send him there – whether he likes it or not. Could the New Orleans Pelicans be the team to take a risk on him?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G CJ McCollum
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G James Harden
Yes, teams still have some power in the relationship between them and their players. With that said, they’ve got to be careful about how they use it. Teams can end up shooting themselves in the foot by making trades too hastily.
Perhaps that’s why the Pelicans haven’t traded Ziexcersizingon Williamson yet. The rumors have been prominent. That’s understandable in its own right. Williamson can’t seem to get healthy. He’s played a shockingly low number of games in his NBA career so far. Why are the Pelicans hanging onto him?
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Well, if they moved him now, they’d be selling low. Until Williamson proves that he can stay healthy, teams will be apprehensive about acquiring him. Of course, if he can get healthy, the Pelicans may not want to move him at all. Should they pair him with James Harden instead?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
Sure. By contrast to any scenario involving Williamson, the Pelicans are capitalizing on a buy low opportunity here. Harden may be flawed, but let’s be realistic: he is a better basketball player than McCollum.
Let’s get more specific. Harden is a better playmaker. McCollum has made strides in that area, but he’ll never have Harden’s unique ability to see the floor. Meanwhile, an athletic play finisher like Williamson ought to be perfect for Harden. We can picture the alley-oops already.
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On the other hand, if this partnership doesn’t work out? Harden is a free agent next year. On the other hand, McCollum is on a long-term contract. If nothing else, the Pelicans could end up creating some cap space here. Should the Sixers help them create it?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
This isn’t an easy situation for the Sixers. Harden’s value has hit an all-time low. If they can get anything of substance for him, they should. Meanwhile, McCollum is a substantial NBA player.
Let’s look at the alternatives. It’s been suggested that the Sixers could send Harden to the Clippers. They’d likely receive some combination of Norman Powell, Marcus Morris Sr. and/or Robert Covington in such a deal. Respectfully, McCollum is a much better player than any of them.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
He may also be a better fit alongside Joel Embiid than Harden ever has been. He’s a more willing off-ball player who will generate defensive attention while Embiid is on the low block. That’s critical for the Sixers. After all, they’ll be trying to avoid a trade request from Embiid moving forward.
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