- James Harden is still good enough to help a lot of teams
- The Orlando Magic could use him to help them make the playoffs
- The Milwaukee Bucks and the Minnesota Timberwolves are in win-now mode
Star James Harden has opted into his $35.6 million player option this summer, with the expectation that he will end up being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. However, a trade has not materialized this far.
Given the recent news that the Philadelphia 76ers have ended trade talks about James Harden with the Los Angeles Clippers, it is quite possible that they will look elsewhere to move him. At the end of the day, we have seen teams move players to destinations not on their preferred list in the past. Given the currently fractured relationship between James Harden and Daryl Morey, it is quite possible that Morey will move Harden to a destination that is not his top choice. It was also noted that James Harden is open to getting traded to teams other than the Clippers.
The star will likely have a good amount of suitors, given that he is still a good player who can be a high-impact addition as a No. 2 or No. 3 option. Last season, James Harden averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 10.7 assists, and his box score production is still impressive, even if he is no longer MVP-level. In this article, we will discuss three surprising destinations for James Harden that a lot of people may not have considered when talking about potential fits for the guard.
3. Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic Receive: James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris
The Orlando Magic already have some good franchise cornerstones as of right now. Paolo Banchero looks like a future superstar, and Franz Wagner has All-Star level potential. The team also has a quality center in Wendell Carter Jr. as of right now, and the only thing they are missing is an elite point guard.
Trading for James Harden would likely be a temporary solution, given that he is unlikely to sign a contract extension with the franchise. Still trading three players on expiring contracts for a star who is on an expiring contract could be worth it, especially if the team’s goal is to be competitive and make the playoffs next season.
In this scenario, the Philadelphia 76ers would get three players who could contribute immediately. The key player of course would be Markelle Fultz, who would likely start at the PG position. He has improved greatly since being traded by the 76ers to the Orlando Magic: last season, Fultz averaged 14.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists for the team while shooting 51.4% from the field and playing solid perimeter defense.
Cole Anthony profiles as a solid scorer coming off the bench, with the guard being frequently deployed as a sixth man by the Magic, averaging 13.0 points off the bench. Meanwhile, Gary Harris is a solid 3 and D guard who shot 43.1% from 3PT range last season.
The key for the 76ers would, of course, be the ability to retain their players. Cole Anthony is a restricted free agent at the end of the 2023-24 season, so the team can match any deals involving him. Retaining Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris is more difficult, but if the team has a good year, it’s not impossible.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, 2030 First-Round Pick Swap (MIN favoring PHI)
The Minnesota Timberwolves are a team that is clearly in need of a veteran point guard. Though Mike Conley is a solid player, he isn’t necessarily the sort of player that makes the team a championship contender. The team clearly wants to win immediately, given that they traded a lot of assets for Rudy Gobert, and James Harden helps with that goal.
Anthony Edwards and James Harden would make a dynamic offensive backcourt, and adding Harden would relieve a lot of Edwards’ playmaking duties, allowing him to focus primarily on scoring the basketball. Harden’s passing would also get the best out of Rudy Gobert, who struggled at times in the Timberwolves’ offense without the presence of an elite lob thrower (prior to the Mike Conley trade).
From the Philadelphia 76ers’ perspective, they would get two solid veterans in Mike Conley and Kyle Anderson, who know how to fit roles around a roster. Conley is a solid floor general and would be a good complement to Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt offensively. Meanwhile, Anderson is a player who provides a little bit of everything on the court, and his size on defense will certainly be beneficial for the franchise. On top of the two players involved, the Philadelphia 76ers would also get a first-round pick swap in 2030, which would also be beneficial for the team. Overall, this is a solid trade for the franchises, given the circumstances with James Harden.
1. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: James Harden
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Jrue Holiday
This would definitely be a surprising trade, although there are good reasons for both teams to follow through with this move. The Milwaukee Bucks have stagnated as a squad since their 2021 championship, and it is unclear if the team is truly championship-level as of right now. A risky move could make a huge difference for them, and James Harden could be the right player for them to get given his offensive capabilities. Harden would be able to create a lot of easy looks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, given his elite playmaking abilities, and it would be interesting to see the fit between the two stars.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers would get a solid two-way player back in Jrue Holiday who meshes well with Joel Embiid and can lock up defensively. Jrue Holiday had a solid season last year, averaging 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists for the Milwaukee Bucks. He is also a fan favorite in Philadelphia, having made the All-Star team with the franchise during the 2012-13 season. Getting a star in return for James Harden would be a huge win for the Philadelphia 76ers, as that would allow them to remain competitive in the Joel Embiid era.
It would be interesting to see whether the two teams end up making a move with this framework. It would be a simple star-for-star trade, but it is quite possible that the Milwaukee Bucks value Jrue Holiday enough for a deal to fall through.
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