One NBA writer is proposing that the San Antonio Spurs acquire James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster trade. Our own Evan Massey of NBA Analysis Network proposed the following trade idea between the Spurs and Sixers:
San Antonio Spurs receive: James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers receive: Keldon Johnson, Doug McDermott, Malaki Branham, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2026 First-Round Pick
The Sixers agreed to search out a trade upon Harden’s request after the talented guard picked 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.
The Sixers believe they will be a championship contender with Harden’s return alongside Joel Embiid and the team is determined to find a way to make it work with Harden next season. However, according to NBA insider Joe Vardon of The Athletic, Harden will never play for the Sixers again and has no plans of taking part in training camp if he’s still on the team.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs 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 3 and 86.7% from the free-throw line. He led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
Harden was fined $100,000 by the NBA for calling Sixers president Daryl Morey “a liar” during his Adidas tour in China. Harden no longer has a relationship with Morey. The 2017-18 MVP called the exec a liar since he wasn’t traded quickly after opting into his 2023-24 player option.
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, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs Updates
The Spurs could start Harden, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Victor Wembanyama and Zach Collins if San Antonio’s front office figured out a way to acquire Harden from Philadelphia.
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