In Philadelphia, the 76ers have new hope in the Joel Embiid/James Harden duo. To many, the pair have made the Sixers favorites in the East. But, according to one league insider, that duo could have looked entirely different if Philly’s original offer months ago had been accepted.
In a recent article, Sam Amick of The Athletic broke down an alternate scenario for the 76ers, who reportedly made an offer for Bradley Beal before stumbling on the Harden trade.
Speaking of the Wizards, however: In an alternate universe, a healthy Bradley Beal would have added significant drama to this past trade deadline.
The 76ers did their due diligence with the Wizards on Beal throughout the season, but many across the NBA say it was much more than that. Multiple sources said the 76ers worked during the season on a potential trade. Beal faced a decision on whether to force a trade out of Washington and Philadelphia had prominent interest at the deadline if he was cleared to play from his wrist injury. The 76ers’ package would have been centered around Simmons and draft picks, sources said. Several teams beyond Philadelphia would have engaged should the Wizards have opened conversations, but that never happened. Beal ultimately did not request a trade, and underwent season-ending wrist surgery on Feb. 10, the day of the deadline.
In the end, the 76ers completed the blockbuster trade for James Harden with the Nets, a move they had been pursuing for the past year-plus and preferred among all others.
Beal has been in Washington for his entire 9-year career. After being drafted in 2012, he emerged as a star, averaging 27.8 points per game over his last 4 years with the franchise.
In Philly, with Embiid, it’s likely he would have thrived in much the same way James Harden is now.
Ultimately, we’ll never get the chance to find out — and Daryl Morey prefers it that way.
