- James Harden has left the Philadelphia 76ers and is currently in Houston amid his trade request
- The Sixers and Los Angeles Clippers are not close to making a Harden trade
- Philadelphia should maybe look to send Harden to another team
James Harden didn’t practice with the Philadelphia 76ers again on October 19. The 2017-18 MVP is in Houston dealing with a “personal matter.” Harden, 34, has requested a trade from the Sixers and wants to get traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
A future Hall of Famer, Harden missed Sixers media day and the first day of practice before showing up on Day 2. He hasn’t played in any preseason games and only played five-on-five once with the Sixers before leaving the team for Houston.
It’s unknown if the “personal matter” is a genuine reason for Harden’s absence. The 10-time All-Star could just be acting disruptive so he can get traded.
The Sixers and Clippers have discussed a Harden trade several times since Harden requested a trade in June after opting into his player option for the 2023-24 season. However, a deal hasn’t been made since Philadelphia wants Terance Mann and Los Angeles doesn’t want to part ways with the guard.
Since the Sixers and Clippers are not close to making a Harden trade, we came up with three Harden trades that could make sense.
Note: All trades are eligible to be made under CBA rules
The Chicago Bulls Pair DeMar DeRozan With James Harden
Trade Details
Chicago Bulls Receive: James Harden, Danuel House Jr.
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Zach LaVine
Several teams have checked in with the Chicago Bulls about Zach LaVine‘s availability, according to Jamal Collier of ESPN, but no team has been willing to meet Chicago’s enormous asking price for LaVine, who signed a five-year, $215.2 million contract in July 2022.
Since James Harden is a former MVP and has a rapport with Bulls shooting guard DeMar DeRozan and the Sixers are looking for an All-Star guard to replace Harden, this trade could make sense for both teams.
The Bulls, who missed the playoffs last season, could start Harden, Coby White, Patrick Williams, DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic, while the Sixers could start Tyrese Maxey, LaVine, Tobias Harris, PJ Tucker and Joel Embiid. Chicago hasn’t been linked to Harden in any trade rumors thus far, but that could change the longer The Beard is on Philadelphia’s roster.
If the Bulls don’t have a winning record near the February 2024 trade deadline, they can trade Harden, DeRozan, and Vucevic and embark on a full rebuild.
LaVine appeared in 77 games for the Bulls last season. He averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 48.5% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc, and 84.8% from the free-throw line. The Sixers would have to be thrilled to acquire the two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion as Embiid’s new co-star.
The Portland Trail Blazers Trade Anfernee Simons For James Harden
Trade Details
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Anfernee Simons, Robert Williams III
James Harden becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason, so his contract comes off the books of the team he’s on. The Portland Trail Blazers, who traded Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, could do two things with Harden if they acquire him.
The Blazers would have a “Big 3” of Harden, Deandre Ayton, and Jerami Grant if Portland’s front office acquired Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers for Anfernee Simons and Robert Williams III. Portland could look to compete in the Western Conference with Harden — one of the best scorers and playmakers in the NBA — Ayton — a double-double machine — and Grant — a talented scorer and rebounder — leading the way.
The Blazers could start Harden, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Grant, and Ayton, while the Sixers could start Tyrese Maxey, Simons, Tobias Harris, PJ Tucker and Joel Embiid.
If the Harden trade didn’t work out for the Blazers, it’s not that big of a deal since Harden’s contract would come off Portland’s books in the summer of 2024 and the team would generate more cap space for the future. We understand that the odds of Portland trading for Harden are very, very low since they are in rebuild mode after training Lillard. However, you can never say never in the NBA.
Simons averaged 21.1 points last season for the Blazers while shooting 44.7% from the field, 37.7% from beyond the arc and 89.4% from the free-throw line. The Sixers would likely be happy to acquire him.
The New Orleans Pelicans Acquire James Harden And Go All-In For A Title
Trade Details
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: CJ McCollum
Many people around the NBA believe the New Orleans Pelicans are one piece away from competing for a championship. Perhaps that missing piece is James Harden, who led the NBA in assists per game last season for the second time in his career.
In 58 games for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2022-23, Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 10.7 assists while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line. The three-time scoring champion recorded 36 double-doubles and five triple-doubles.
The Pelicans, who missed the playoffs last season, could start Harden, Herbert Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Jonas Valanciunas, while the Sixers could start Tyrese Maxey, CJ McCollum, Tobias Harris, PJ Tucker and Joel Embiid.
The open looks Williamson and Ingram would get playing alongside Harden would make the Pelicans a lethal offensive group. CJ McCollum is a gifted scorer, but the 32-year-old isn’t the special playmaker Harden is. Harden averaged 5.0 more assists per game last season than McCollum.
Harden has career averages of 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.0 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, and Sixers. He requested a trade from the Rockets in 2020-21 and was sent to the Nets. Harden then requested a trade from the Nets in 2021-22 and was traded to the Sixers.
