Every team in the NBA is looking for a buy-low opportunity. When a team can get more value from a player than they surrendered for him, they get surplus value. Who wouldn’t want that?
Yet, any buy-low opportunity can come as a risk. Otherwise, why would the opportunity exist? After all, nobody wants to be on the other end of that deal. No team wants to sell low. If they’re doing so, they were likely desperate. At the moment, the Philadelphia 76ers may be feeling a little desperation.
After all, James Harden has requested a trade. He won’t have the value on the market that his skills would demand. Harden is a free agent next summer; by now, he’s the most significant flight risk in the league. Still, if the Sixers are selling low on him, a surprise team could acquire him – even if they don’t need him. Could the New York Knicks be that team?
The Trade Proposal
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, G/F Donte DiVincenzo, C Isaiah Hartenstein, 2025 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G James Harden;
Did the Sixers do this to themselves? Or did Harden do it to them? This isn’t an easy question to answer. It’s been suggested that Sixers GM Daryl Morey promised Harden a max extension last summer. Now, he refuses to give it to him. That’s allegedly why Harden requested a trade in the first place.
This is a messy situation. On the one hand, a broken promise is bad practice. Morey shouldn’t have made that guarantee, and if he did, he’s now morally obliged to make good on it. On the other hand, from a business perspective, there are plenty of reasons not to give Harden a max extension. Should we expect Morey to make a bad business decision to be a good person?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & New York Knicks Updates
There’s a lot to unpack here. Realistically, it’s all moot. Harden is gone. His departure isn’t a matter of it – it’s a matter of when. The only questions left pertain to what Morey can get for him. Is this enough?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
Apparently, Morey wants draft capital in return for Harden. Sure. We all have wants in this life. Morey can’t afford to hold out for a mountain of unprotected first-round picks here. If he does, he’ll lose Harden for nothing next summer. Nobody is selling the farm for Harden at this point.
So, a lottery protected first ought to suffice. With that said, the Sixers can’t strictly be concerned with draft capital, either. This team needs to stay relevant if they will retain Joel Embiid after all of this. With that in mind, the Sixers need to get players who can make their rotation in exchange for Harden. This deal satisfies that need.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & New York Knicks Updates
DiVincenzo headlines it. He’s an athletic 3-and-D who can also run some point when need be. Hartenstein would be the best backup that Embiid has had during his tenure with the Sixers. Finally, a bounce-back year from Fournier and the Sixers’ newfound depth could keep them relevant as they build around Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Should the Knicks help to keep them relevant?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
If you’re a stickler for roster balance, this deal isn’t for you from New York’s side. They’re parting with a pair of extremely useful role players in DiVincenco and Hartenstein. Meanwhile, they already have a point guard in Jalen Brunson. What gives?
Let’s take a moment to remember who James Harden is. This is one of the best offensive players we’ve ever seen in basketball. Harden may be past his prime, but he remains an elite playmaker. Harden’s ability to find teammates and create his own shot almost assures his team an elite offense. Adding him to a group with as much playmaking as New York could make the team unstoppable.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers & New York Knicks Updates
If it doesn’t? The Knicks took a risk. Harden will walk in free agency, and they’ll have lost good role players for no reason. That’s the thing about a buy-low opportunity – usually, it comes with a risk.
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