James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers has requested a trade. That’s old news. If you follow the NBA, you’re aware of this situation. The relationship between Harden and Sixers general manager Daryl Morey has been a source of drama for fans of the league for months now.
The 76ers could be in trouble. If they’re forced to move Harden, they aren’t likely to get equal value in return. If this team regresses, it could lead to a Joel Embiid trade request. The sky is falling in Philadelphia – isn’t it?
We’re not so sure. This team looks good even without Harden. A recent one-point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks confirmed as much. It’s possible that the Sixers have enough to contend without Harden.
If so, they could make a trade to strengthen their roster. Could they target Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers?
NBA Trade Proposal – Philadelphia 76ers Land Buddy Hield
Indiana Pacers Receive: F P.J. Tucker, G/F Furkan Korkmaz, G Jaden Springer
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Buddy Hield
Why can’t the Sixers get equal value for Harden? Well, this isn’t the first trade request that he’s made. It isn’t even the second one. This is the third trade request that Harden has made in four seasons. This has become a habit.
Moreover, Harden is a free agent next summer. He’s a flight risk. Any team acquiring Harden has to know that he may be a half-season rental. So, it doesn’t matter how talented he is. Teams don’t like to give up market value for a half-year rental.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers Updates
If Harden were in his prime, it might be a different story. He isn’t. While still an outstanding offensive player, Harden is on the decline.
All told, this is a messy situation for the Sixers. There’s no easy solution. Does acquiring Hield help soften the blow?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
For the Sixers, this is a simple win-now trade. So, we need to look at what they’re losing, and what they’re gaining. To begin with, Korkmaz and Springer are not significant losses. Korkmaz has allegedly issued his own trade request, and Springer is too young to crack this contending team’s rotation.
Tucker is a loss. At the same time, he’s on the tail end of his career. Tucker’s offensive value, at this point, is practically zero. The Sixers have Tobias Harris, Danuel House Jr., Kelly Oubre and Danny Green in their wing rotation. They can spare Tucker.
If they’re landing an elite movement shooter, that holds even truer. Hield is one of the best floor spacers in the NBA. He’ll open up the floor for Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Harris. Even without Harden, that could be a contending squad.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers Updates
If the Sixers can trade Harden for a little more support, they could put together the deepest team in the NBA. Should the Pacers help them put that depth together?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
The Pacers are seemingly looking for a 4. An aging P.J. Tucker may not be the solution that they had in mind. Still, Tucker would be an especially valuable mentor for Jarace Walker. Moreover, Tucker is likely to crack this team’s rotation even if he doesn’t earn a starting spot.
Still, the main draw of this return for the Pacers is Springer. Unlike the contending Sixers, they could give him an opportunity to earn some minutes. He’s a hyper-athletic guard who can space the floor. If the Pacers can unearth his potential, they could be extremely happy to have made this trade.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Buddy Hield, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers Updates
More broadly, the Pacers need to get something for Hield. He’s a free agent this summer himself, and apparently, the two sides can’t agree on an extension. If you’re a diehard NBA fan, you probably already know that.
