One NBA writer is proposing that the Chicago Bulls trade for Philadelphia 76ers superstar James Harden in a blockbuster deal. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Bulls and Sixers:
The Deal: Chicago Bulls trade Zach LaVine to Philadelphia 76ers for James Harden, Furkan Korkmaz and a 2029 first-round pick
“For Chicago, this gives it an expiring contract that ends at least two years earlier than LaVine’s and a first-round pick to bolster the rebuild,” Bailey wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “And if the Bulls are unable to re-route Harden to a third team or find palatable deals for DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vučević, this could be a good situation for Harden to rehab his own value ahead of 2024 free agency.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden has requested a trade from the Sixers and doesn’t plan to report to training camp if he’s still on the roster. The NBA icon wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, but since he doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, Harden can get traded anywhere. The Sixers can also keep The Beard.
The Bulls, who missed the playoffs last season, could start Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams and Nikola Vucevic if Chicago’s front office figured out a way to acquire Harden from Philadelphia.
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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
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.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
