An NBA player’s trade value isn’t always a direct reflection of their quality of play. Ideally, that’s how the league’s economy would operate. In practice, it just isn’t. A number of factors can impact a player’s trade value besides their ability to play basketball.
For example, suppose a player is a flight risk. A star player in a contract year won’t yield market value. Teams will be concerned about mortgaging their future for a one-year rental. If that player has made a habit of leaving his teams, that will hurt his value even more. At the moment, the Philadelphia 76ers are learning this lesson the hard way.
James Harden does not have market value as a trade asset at the moment. He seems to make a trade request every year, and his contract expires next summer. With that in mind, the Sixers may have to take a below-market value offer for their guard now that he’s demanded a trade. Could they send him to the Minnesota Timberwolves?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G Mike Conley, F Kyle Anderson, G/F Troy Brown Jr., 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap – MIN)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G James Harden
This isn’t the first time that Sixers general manager Daryl Morey has had his back against the wall. When Ben Simmons requested a trade, Morey had another star player with depreciated trade value on his hands. He made it work. In fact, that’s how the Sixers ended up with Harden.
Why should this situation be any different? Well, Morey had room to breathe with Simmons. He was on a long-term contract. Morey infamously told media that he’d hold out for four years before he’d take a below-market return for Simmons. His strategy paid off, but it’s not a strategy that he can use this time.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Realistically, Morey has two options. He can try to convince Harden to stay. Given that the star point guard just referred to Morey as a liar in public, that feels like a long shot. His other option is to trade him for the best offer he can find – even if it’s subpar. Could this be the best offer that the Sixers will receive?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
We think so. The Sixers can’t rely on a star player return for Harden. They aren’t getting one. They need to enter this season prepared to go as far as Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris will carry them. With that said – couldn’t they carry them fairly far?
Embiid is the league’s reigning MVP. Maxey is on the rise. Harris is among the best complementary players in the NBA. This is a good team – even without Harden. Meanwhile, this deal makes them better. The Sixers would be a deeper team following this deal.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Moreover, Conley may actually be a better fit than Harden alongside Embiid. Anderson is a highly useful rotation player as well. The Sixers are losing the best player in this deal – there’s no denying that – but if the pieces click, it could be a case of addition by subtraction. Should the Timberwolves want to add Harden?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
The Timberwolves are in something of a strange place. There are shades of two different teams here. They could commit to defense by moving Karl-Anthony Towns and starting Rudy Gobert in the middle, or move Towns back to the 5 by trying to find a deal for Gobert.
Alternatively, they could keep them both. In that event, Harden should be a strong addition. His fit alongside Gobert is obvious. The duo should be among the best pick-and-roll tandems in the NBA. Meanwhile, Harden should compliment Anthony Edwards as well. His ability to make pinpoint look-ahead passes should get the athletic star plenty of easy looks in transition.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
Is the fit with Towns obvious? Not necessarily. Still, the Wolves could overwhelm opponents with pure talent after adding Harden. If they can’t, they could look to move Towns. For all of his defensive flaws, he’s not nearly as depreciated of an asset as Harden is.
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