The Chicago Bulls are considered a surprising team that should risk a James Harden trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. NBA writer Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report thinks the Bulls “could use a table-setter like Harden to put the offense in better alignment.”
“For all the understandable criticism of Harden’s playoff performances and his ugly exits from multiple teams, he’s still one of the game’s best playmakers,” Bailey wrote in his NBA trade column. “He’s averaged at least 20 points and 10 assists in each of the last three seasons, and he’d undoubtedly moneyball the Bulls’ offense right out of the bottom 10.”
Harden spoke to NBA reporters on October 13 for the first time since requesting a trade from the Sixers. The future Hall of Famer said he plans to play for the Sixers while also admitting that his relationship with Daryl Morey can’t be fixed.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
In 58 games for the Sixers last season, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists. He led the NBA in assists per game for the second time in his career.
According to NBA insider Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Harden felt Morey ghosted him before free agency started. Rather than wait for Morey and the Sixers to present whatever offer they had come up with once free agency opened on July 1, Harden picked up his $35.6 million player option before the June 30 deadline and requested a trade.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Bulls missed the playoffs last season after making it in 2022. Lonzo Ball will miss his second straight season, so Chicago could benefit from adding Harden, although the team would likely have to part ways with DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine.
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