Over the last couple of seasons, the Philadelphia 76ers have been championship contenders, but they have gone home in the second round of the playoffs five times in the last six NBA seasons, and they haven’t gotten to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001.
They have been enjoying the services of superstar center Joel Embiid, who won his first league MVP while leading the NBA in scoring for the second straight year last season. They also have a relatively strong cast that includes forward Tobias Harris, rising stud guard Tyrese Maxey, and the disgruntled James Harden.
The Sixers came to a mutual understanding with Harden early in the summer that they would look to trade him. Those trade efforts stalled by mid-summer, but the Los Angeles Clippers, his preferred destination, still pursue him.
What if the Sixers killed two birds with one stone by getting rid of Harden, who recently criticized executive Daryl Morey while making a bold move to bring in perennial All-Star Paul George?
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F Paul George
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: G James Harden, F P.J. Tucker, 2029 First-Round Pick (PHI), 2026 First-Round Pick Swap (PHI)
Philly would end up jettisoning a potential malcontent, not to mention someone who may be in slow decline in Harden while beefing up its offense with George. George averaged 23.8 points a game last season; these days, he tends to be a more efficient shooter than the 34-year-old Harden.
The first-round pick included would also give Philly a way to potentially add another rotation player down the road, especially when Embiid will be aging and possibly in decline.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Furthermore, the Eastern Conference has turned into an arms race. The Milwaukee Bucks traded for future Hall of Fame guard Damian Lillard just days ago, while the Boston Celtics, the team that knocked the Sixers out of the second round of last season’s playoffs, brought in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Perhaps it is time for the Sixers to undergo a significant endowment of their own.
Meanwhile, the Clippers would be getting their man in Harden, who originally grew up in the Los Angeles area. They have lacked a legitimate point guard and floor general for years, and while Harden may not be a natural point guard, he has done a good job masquerading as one. He led the NBA last season with 10.7 assists a game, and he deserves credit for changing his game from one of ball-dominant volume scoring to a more well-rounded one where he looks to set up his teammates.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, James Harden & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
At the same time, Tucker would give the Clippers a veteran who defends at a high level and is physical and rugged. He may be undersized for the power forward position, but the Clippers have never been a consistently excellent defensive squad, and Tucker would help in that category.
The duo of George and Kawhi Leonard hasn’t been successful in four years together, and perhaps it’s time for the Clippers to acknowledge as much and make a change tacitly. Perhaps Harden and Leonard would complement each other better on offense than George and Leonard have.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
