One NBA writer is proposing that the Miami Heat acquire James Harden and PJ Tucker from the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster deal. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed a three-team trade between the Sixers, Heat and Portland Trail Blazers:
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Tyler Herro and Malcolm Brogdon
Miami Heat Receive: James Harden, PJ Tucker and a 2024 second-round pick from Portland (via Charlotte or Minnesota)
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Kyle Lowry, Nikola Jović and a 2026 first-round pick swap from Philadelphia
Harden has requested a trade from the Sixers and wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. However, Philadelphia can trade Harden anywhere since the future Hall of Famer doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, PJ Tucker, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat Updates
The Heat didn’t acquire Damian Lillard or Jrue Holiday, so Bailey thinks Pat Riley should take a gamble by trading for Harden and Tucker.
One of the greatest players of all time, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists last season. The 2017-18 MVP led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
Harden has a reputation for partying a lot, which is why many people around the NBA don’t believe the Heat would be a good landing spot for the Arizona State product. Miami’s culture is built around practicing hard all the time, playing strong defense and players being in peak condition.
It will be fascinating to see where Harden is playing this season. The Heat could compete for a championship with Harden in the fold, but Harden has to be focused and in shape and that hasn’t always been the case with the three-time scoring champion.
Harden has career NBA averages of 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.0 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and Sixers. He is still looking to win his first championship.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, PJ Tucker, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat Updates
Tucker, who won the 2021 championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, played for the Heat during the 2021-22 season, so he’s already familiar with the Miami franchise.
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