One NBA writer is proposing that the Philadelphia 76ers acquire Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris and Cole Anthony from the Orlando Magic in a blockbuster deal. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Sixers and Magic:
Orlando Magic receive: James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers receive: Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Cole Anthony and a 2025 first-round pick (top-five-protected, via DEN)
Harden has requested a trade from the Sixers and wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. However, Philadelphia doesn’t have to honor Harden’s trade request since the NBA legend doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
“What Philly would get is three rotation-caliber players—all under the age of 30—and a first-round pick,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Sixers fans who only remember Fultz struggling after the franchise took him first overall in 2017 should note that he’s since become a two-way playmaker (though he remains without an outside shot). Harris is one of the better three-and-D guards in the game. Anthony is a quick-strike scorer who could beef up the bench’s ability to generate instant offense.
“These aren’t difference-makers, but each could handle a rotation role, and both Harris and Fultz could challenge for a starting spot in a Harden-less backcourt. Fultz and Anthony, meanwhile, still have enough theoretical upside that they could sweeten the offer in a different deal should Philly prefer to go that route.”
Fultz, who was the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Sixers, averaged 14.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists last season in 60 games, Harris averaged 8.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 48 games and Anthony averaged 13.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 60 games.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Sixers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2023 playoffs in six games. The franchise hasn’t gotten past the semifinals in the Joel Embiid era.
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