At times, you’ve got to think outside of the box. When you’re constructing NBA trade scenarios, this often applies. A rumor may become so prominent that it feels like a foregone conclusion. Yet, that isn’t always the case. Some trades end up coming out of left field.
For example, look at the James Harden situation. He has requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. By all accounts, he wants to join the Los Angeles Clippers.
Around the league, fans are waiting for him to go to the Clippers. Are we sure it’s even going to happen? No. It’s been reported that the Clippers won’t send the Sixers Terance Mann in exchange for Harden.
If that’s true, the Clippers may not be as high on the possibility of acquiring Harden as we’d assumed. Perhaps the Sixers should think outside the box in looking for a trade partner.
Could they call up the Utah Jazz?
NBA Trade Proposal — Utah Jazz Land James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G Collin Sexton, F/C Kelly Olynyk, G/F Talen Horton-Tucker, 2025 First-Round Pick (MIN via UTA)
Utah Jazz Receive: G James Harden
The Sixers will have to get creative if the Clippers aren’t playing ball. After all, they’ve got to do something. Harden is on an expiring contract. He seems overwhelmingly likely to leave the Sixers – one way or another.
There’s a lot at stake here. It’s been widely speculated that if the Sixers regress after moving Harden, Joel Embiid would request a trade. Imagine if they lost Harden in free agency. In that event, they wouldn’t be getting anything for him. That sounds like a safe way to guarantee regression to us.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz Updates
Yet, that same expiring contract ensures the Sixers won’t get market value for Harden. This team is backed into a corner. If the Sixers can find a decent offer for Harden, they must take it.
Is this a decent offer?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
We think so. It’s not ideal. Harden is a relatively recent MVP. Any team moving him would prefer to get a superstar return for him. For the reasons we’ve outlined above, that doesn’t happen here.
Meanwhile, we’re not sure what the Sixers will do next. They may move Embiid and rebuild. On the other hand, they may retool around him. This deal covers them in either event.
If the Sixers want to keep Embiid, Olynyk is a nice fit alongside him. He can play next to him in bigger lineups, and he’d be the best backup Embiid has played alongside the Sixers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz Updates
Otherwise, the Sixers get two young players an unprotected first here. They may use those pieces in a trade. At the same time, Sexton and Horton-Tucker could also be contributors.
In the end, this is about getting something for Harden – anything. Should the Jazz give anything up for him?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
The Jazz are making a bold move here. Who knows if Harden will settle in Salt Lake City? If he refuses, they could be trading a significant package for a one-year rental. With that said it might be a risk worth taking.
After all, Harden is the best player in this deal by a long shot. For all of his warts, he’s one of the best playmakers in the NBA. He’d be a nice fit on this roster as well.
The Jazz can keep Lauri Markkanen as their alpha scorer, while Harden is the lead playmaker. Harden is also likely to develop quick pick-and-roll chemistry with Walker Kessler.
If it doesn’t work out? The Jazz can spare Olynyk, having acquired John Collins this summer. Sexton may never return to his previous star form.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz Updates
Parting with a pick stings, but still, this is a buy-low opportunity to add James Harden. Now, it’s a matter of whether the Jazz are willing to think this far outside of the box.
