One NBA writer is proposing that the New York Knicks trade for Philadelphia 76ers star guard James Harden in a blockbuster deal. Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Knicks and Sixers:
“The Knicks could send out a combination of R.J. Barrett, Isaiah Hartenstein and future draft consideration without blinking,” Conway wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “It’s clear Barrett is not a star and will likely never develop into one. He’s an empty calories scorer and mediocre defender who has not shown much improvement as a secondary playmaker; his name value is higher than his on-court production.”
The Knicks and Sixers spoke about a Harden trade after the former MVP requested a trade from Philadelphia in June, according to NBA insider Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Talks obviously didn’t go far since Harden is not a member of the Knicks.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Sixers agreed to search out a trade upon Harden’s request after Harden 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.
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. The Beard wants to get traded to the Clippers.
Morey, leery of making a trade involving Harden that diminishes the Sixers’ 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 is not expected to report to media day or training camp if he’s still on the Sixers.
A future Hall of Famer, 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. 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 stop 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, who lost to the Miami Heat in the second round of the 2023 playoffs in six games, could start Harden, Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson if Conway’s trade idea actually happened.
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