The biggest storyline coming into the 2023-24 NBA season was what will happen between the Philadelphia 76ers and James Harden. It was a situation that dragged on longer than anyone wanted it to, but it finally came to a resolution deep into the night on Monday into Tuesday.
After weeks of back-and-forth, the 76ers finally got a trade done centered around the former MVP. Harden and P.J. Tucker are heading to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Kenyon Martin Jr., Robert Covington, multiple first and second-round picks and a pick swap.
That trade will shake up the NBA landscape. The Clippers have a star-studded core with Harden joining Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook. How those four will blend is anyone’s guess as the team dipped into their depth to get a deal done.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
For the 76ers, attention will now turn to Joel Embiid. Will the reigning league MVP look for a way out of Philadelphia by demanding a trade? He has been mentioned by some insiders as the next star who could be on the move of the franchise cannot show him that a championship is attainable.
Daryl Morey is going to do everything in his power to ensure that Embiid wants to remain in the City of Brotherly Love long-term. Hours after the Harden trade was completed, there were already rumors flying around about who the 76ers could target to bring in as a replacement for Harden.
According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, via NBA Central on X, formerly known as Twitter, two candidates have stood out. Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls and OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors are two names to watch as trade targets for the 76ers.
LaVine would certainly help replace the offensive firepower lost by trading Harden. He would be a great fit offensively alongside Embiid and Tyrese Maxey given his ability to score from all three levels and handle the ball as well.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
If the 76ers want a more balanced player, Anunoby is their guy. One of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, Anunoby would be a huge upgrade on Harden in that regard, helping replace the impact on that side of the court lost with Tucker on his way to Los Angeles.
Both players won’t be cheap to acquire, but the 76ers have plenty of assets to pull off a deal. They have some of their own draft picks in addition to what was landed from the Clippers and plenty of tradeable contracts to help match money to consummate a blockbuster deal.
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