There are some general rules in the NBA. One is that if you trade the best player in a deal, you’re supposed to get worse. Nobody informed the Philadelphia 76ers of that rule.
After all, this team traded James Harden at the beginning of the season. The Sixers don’t seem to be suffering the consequences. Even without the star guard, the Sixers look like championship contenders.
Meanwhile, they got enough assets in that deal to trade for a star. With that said, the Sixers may not need a superstar. They might be better off trading for an elite glue guy instead.
How about Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors?
NBA Trade Proposal: Philadelphia 76ers Land Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green
Golden State Warriors Receive: F/C Marcus Morris Sr., G/F Furkan Korkmaz, 2027 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – PHI)
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F/C Draymond Green
Meanwhile, the Warriors have not made a habit of trading the best player in a deal in recent years. It’s been a long time since this team was a seller.
The Warriors have typically occupied a spot near the top of the Western Conference for a decade. Even when they haven’t, it’s felt like a blip on the radar.
The Warriors punted some seasons in order to draft young players like James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga. When they’re having a down year, they don’t rush into a blockbuster deal.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
This year feels different. The Warriors are aging. Their books are getting difficult to manage. This team could finally trade one of its core players.
Should they send Green to the Sixers?
Why The Golden State Warriors Do The Deal
At the moment, Green is serving an indefinite suspension. The Warriors have grown accustomed to losing Green on these grounds. With that said, this year it’s different – the team looks better without him.
That’s not to say that they are. This could be a statistical anomaly. Still, it means something. The Warriors could justify moving Green under that pretense. At the same time, they could have ulterior motives.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
For example, his contract is onerous. If Golden State wants to extend Klay Thompson this summer, they’ve got to do something. Here, they’re flipping Green for two expiring contracts and a lottery protected first.
Should the Sixers give up that package for Green?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
Green is not the player that he once was. Father Time is catching up to him. At the same time, that’s a large part of why he’d be available at this meagre price.
Meanwhile, he’s still a useful player. Green isn’t as athletic as he used to be, but his defensive acumen remains elite. He’s also maintained his strong floor vision and general basketball intelligence.
Green is still a starting-caliber player in this league. What more do the Sixers need? Joel Embiid is one of the best players in the league, and Tyrese Maxey isn’t far off.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Sixers are already contenders, and this deal makes them even stronger. It almost feels like they didn’t need Harden in the first place.
