Could Sixers Land Kawhi Leonard or Paul George for James Harden?
During Daryl Morey’s first two seasons as the Philadelphia 76ers’ President of Basketball Operations, he spent plenty of time trying to find ways to trade for James Harden.
While Morey’s attempt in 2020 was a swing and a miss, as the Houston Rockets moved Harden to the Brooklyn Nets, the Sixers benefitted from Harden souring on the NBA’s most infamous superteam one season later.
With Ben Simmons disgruntled and holding out for a trade, Morey once again dangled offers to a team to land Harden’s services. Although there was initial resistance from Brooklyn, the Sixers landed the ten-time All-Star at the 2022 trade deadline.
Following Morey’s third season in charge of the Sixers’ front office, the main task takes a turn. Instead of finding ways to trade for James Harden, Morey will have to find a deal to trade away the star guard.
What Went Wrong?
Last season, Harden declined his player option with the Sixers with intentions of returning to the team on a club-friendly discount. Taking a pay cut and a one-plus-one deal, Harden hoped he could help the Sixers sign key players to build a championship-ready roster in the short term.
After making his financial sacrifice for a year, Harden believed his gamble would eventually lead to a notable payout in free agency. With two teams in the market for him, the narrative quickly changed in recent weeks as the Houston Rockets reportedly focused on other guard prospects, while the Sixers apparently aren’t sold on Harden long-term at this point in his career.
On Thursday, Harden picked up his player option, which is worth over $35 million. He’s under contract with the 76ers for the time being, but the All-Star guard has already requested a trade. Now, the Sixers are working the phones to find a suitor. So far, the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and Miami Heat are rumored to have interest.
At this point, the Clippers are viewed as the favorites to land Harden.
Could the Sixers Swap Stars?
With Harden reportedly pushing for a trade to the Clippers, who have been in contact with the Sixers, one might think that Philadelphia could land one of LA’s top stars in exchange for the sharpshooting guard.
However, a recent report from The Athletic’s Sam Amick makes it seem that the Clippers are only willing to pair up Harden with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard — not replace one of them.
“While it seems likely that he’ll land with the Clippers, it remains to be seen whether his longtime basketball partner, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, will grant this unexpected wish. Sources say, however, that there is strong optimism on Harden’s side that it will indeed happen. Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are said to be on board with the idea of Harden potentially joining their core, according to sources.”
Although Harden didn’t collect his 11th All-Star nod during his lone full season with the Sixers, he still had an All-Star caliber season, being one of the notable snubs last year. In 58 games, Harden averaged 21 points and a league-high of 11 assists while averaging more than 38 percent from three for the first time since 2011.
With the Clippers expected to be unwilling to part ways with Leonard or George in a trade for Harden, Philadelphia will have a hard time being totally satisfied with their return from Los Angeles.
Looking at it from a glass-half-full perspective, the Sixers could’ve lost Harden for nothing in free agency had the veteran guard opted out of his deal before Thursday’s deadline. At least they’ll be able to get a return, even though it’s unlikely they’ll swap for another All-Star-caliber piece.
