One NBA writer is proposing that the New York Knicks trade for Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden in a bold blockbuster proposal. Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World proposed the following trade idea between the Sixers and Knicks:
New York Knicks Receive: James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, 2024 Knicks First-Round Pick
The Knicks and Sixers talked about a Harden trade after the former MVP requested a trade from Philadelphia, according to NBA insider Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Talks apparently didn’t go far since Harden is not a member of the Knicks.
The Sixers agreed to search out a trade upon Harden’s request after the future Hall of Famer 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 — including the Knicks — were willing or able to meet it.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Harden is upset at Sixers president Daryl Morey since he wasn’t traded after requesting his trade. Morey asked the Los Angeles Clippers and Knicks for a massive haul for Harden, who led the NBA in assists per game last season for the second time in his career.
Morey, leery of making a trade involving Harden that diminishes Philadelphia’s chances at contention next season, is faced with the dilemma of acquiescing to Harden’s demand and keeping Joel Embiid part of a contending team next season. Morey is running the risk of an unhappy Harden creating something less than a championship-driven environment.
Harden was fined $100,000 by the NBA for calling Morey “a liar” during his Adidas tour in China. The NBA launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Harden’s public admonishment of Morey. As part of the investigation, Harden told NBA investigators he called Morey “a liar” because he wasn’t traded “quickly” after opting into his player option for the 2023-24 season.
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 beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line. Philadelphia lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2023 playoffs in seven games.
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, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Knicks could start Harden, Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson if Bitar’s trade idea actually happened.
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