The NBA’s best general managers aren’t playing checkers. They’re playing chess. Every trade that a GM makes isn’t necessarily made to give their roster a final shape. Sometimes, they’re making a move that’s designed to facilitate a bigger move.
Philadelphia 76ers general manager Daryl Morey just made a major move. He traded James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers.
In return, Morey didn’t necessarily land any players that the team is going to keep. Morey was focused on accumulating assets for Harden. Don’t be surprised if the Sixers trade for a star as the trade deadline approaches.
What type of star should they covet? The Sixers have a superstar big man in Joel Embiid. They’ve got a dynamic lead guard in Tyrese Maxey.
Perhaps the Sixers should target a 3-and-D wing who can create his own shot. How about Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets?
NBA Trade Proposal — Philadelphia 76ers Land Mikal Bridges
Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Robert Covington, F Nicolas Batum, 2028 First-Round Pick (LAC via PHI), 2029 First-Round Pick (PHI), 2030 First-Round Pick (Swap – PHI)
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Mikal Bridges
This isn’t the first time that Harden has been traded. It’s not the first time that he was traded primarily for assets, either. When the Houston Rockets traded their then-franchise player, they didn’t get any significant players in return. What did the Rockets get?
Picks. Lots of picks. The Rockets received four unprotected first-round picks and three pick swaps from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Harden. It was the most draft capital that a team has ever received in one trade. We’ll see how it works out for the Rockets.
So far, they’ve used one of those picks to select Tari Eason. He looks like a starting-caliber wing moving forward. Where has that deal left the Nets? Well, they’re in a bit of a bind.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Nets don’t have enough to contend for the title, but with the Rockets controlling their draft, they’ve got little incentive to tank either.
Should they really trade Bridges?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
The Nets will want to see how their season is going before they make this move. So far, they’ve got a losing record – but it’s very early. if they turn their season around, the Nets may want to be buyers, not sellers.
Let’s assume they don’t. If the Nets look like a losing team throughout the year, why not trade Bridges? They don’t want to send the Rockets a good pick? OK – but in this situation, they’d be on track to do that anyway. The Nets might as well flip their best player for some assets.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
That’s what they’re doing here. This unprotected pick from an aging, injury-prone Clippers team is especially valuable. The Nets would have one of the best collections of first-round picks in the NBA following this deal.
Soon enough, they could make a trade for their own star. Should the Sixers help them accomplish that goal?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
There’s a lot at stake for the Sixers. Harden is officially gone. Now, the Sixers need to stay afloat without him. If they can’t, a lot of people are expecting Joel Embiid to make a trade soon.
So far, so good. The Sixers have looked solid without Harden so far this year. Why shouldn’t they? Embiid is the defending MVP, and Maxey is ascending toward superstar status. This team may be a piece away from title contention.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Bridges feels like the perfect piece. He’s overtaxed as the first option in Brooklyn, but he’d be overqualified as a third man in Philadelphia. After adding him, the Sixers would have one of the best rosters in the NBA. It could be a checkmate for the rest of the Eastern Conference.
