• The James Harden trade saga could find a happy ending
• A proposed trade sends Harden to the Clippers, Buddy Hield and Norman Powell to the 76ers, and Marcus Morris and Jason Preston to the Pacers
• This trade helps all three franchises
We have been waiting for James Harden to find a new team for over two months, with training camp now a few weeks away. This is the final chance to shed this baggage ahead of a season where the 76ers hope to contend, a proposed three-team trade could get the 76ers out of the jam they are in.
The three teams in the trade will be the 76ers, Clippers, and Pacers, as all teams find some value in this trade to start the new season with a clear direction in mind.
Trade Details
Indiana Pacers Receive: Marcus Morris Sr., Jason Preston, 2024 Second-Round Pick (IND), 2024 Second-Round Pick (NYK), 2029 Second-Round Pick (PHI), 2029 Second-Round Pick (LAC)
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Norman Powell, Buddy Hield, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAC)
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: James Harden
With Buddy Hield expected to be on the move, this trade sends him to a contending situation where he can thrive next to a superstar. James Harden finally gets his dream move back to his hometown, and the Pacers get draft compensation and an expiring contract for their troubles.
The Indiana Pacers Add Some Assets For A Disgruntled Buddy Hield
We have been hearing about Buddy Hield trade rumors since the day he joined the franchise alongside Tyrese Haliburton. Despite being one of the greatest shooters in history with his incredible statistics, Hield has never been to the playoffs. That is a waste of his talents and helping him move on to a continuing situation this season would be a great move.
Getting a veteran on an expiring contract like Marcus Morris Sr. would be great for the franchise. He could play a role in mentoring rookie Jarace Walker or be traded away closer to the deadline if the Pacers find themselves scrapping for a playoff spot. Morris’ on-court production isn’t as consistent as it used to be, averaging 11.2 points and 4.0 rebounds last season.
Jason Preston is a good young guard who will never get an opportunity on the Clippers with the way their roster is constructed. Getting to dabble with his upside could be another positive for the pacers, who receive four second-round picks for facilitating this superstar trade. Preston averaged 2.9 points and 1.9 assists last season.
Philadelphia Finds A Way To Remain Competitive
There is no universe where Harden receives a superstar trade package, so accepting this deal requires compromise from Daryl Morey. Instead of dragging this drama into media day and training camp, the 76ers can get a clean break while adding two winning pieces. Adding a future unprotected pick from the Clippers will be massive, given the long-term uncertainty the roster faces.
Norman Powell’s contract doesn’t look the most eye-watering, but he is a proven performer on the court. He averaged 17.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists last season and could be a fantastic option in the backcourt next to Tyrese Maxey, with his off-ball abilities lending well to playing a high-value role on the 76ers. It would also upgrade the defensive strength of the 76ers’ backcourt, as Powell is an active perimeter defender.
Buddy Hield averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists with 42.5% efficiency from three (8.5 attempts per game) last season and would stretch the floor magnificently well on the 76ers. Joel Embiid attracts a lot of attention in the paint, so open perimeter shots are very likely. Having a shooter like Hield knock those opportunities down allows the 76ers to give Embiid more room to operate in the paint and create chances for others from the post when needed.
The Clippers Take One Last Swing At The NBA Championship
The Clippers have been in a four-year cycle of waiting for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to be healthy. With the viability of this tandem in its last season or two, adding a floor general like James Harden would boost their chances in the West significantly. The team needs an injection of talent after the roster showed that they cannot win games without their stars. Adding someone like Harden gives them a bonafide leading option whenever PG or Kawhi aren’t available.
Harden led the league in assists last season by averaging 21.0 points, 10.7 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. He would set the Clippers up to not only be more competitive this season but clean out their books. The long-term contract of Powell is offloaded, while Morris won’t eat up $17 million to be performing below expectations.
Giving up their 2029 first-round pick is the cost of acquiring a talent like Harden. Even if he isn’t the MVP candidate he once was, Harden is arguably the best guard playmaker in the NBA right now. Using those skills to help the Clippers win could be his final shot at the title and the franchise’s last opportunity to make a swing before this era is over.
An Acrimonious Exit Leads To The Betterment of Three Franchises
Whenever Harden and Hield get traded, they’ll be happy to get out of those situations. But this trade makes sure that all parties involved get positive value and can move on to bigger and brighter things during the season.
Harden and Russell Westbrook reunite as a guard pairing, or Russ likely come off the bench for Harden. It isn’t the superstar duo it once was, but it’s good enough to keep the Clippers afloat whenever Kawhi and PG are unavailable. If everyone’s healthy, Harden can feast on creating opportunities on cuts and pick-and-pops with George while playing a two-man game with Kawhi that gets him open mid-range looks.
Morris and Preston aren’t game-changing additions for the Pacers, but they get four second-round picks for their trouble as future assets. In the meantime, Hield can finally play alongside a superstar talent in Joel Embiid, while Norman Powell’s consistent wing play won’t be overshadowed like it had been with the Clippers.
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