NBA Insider: Sixers to ‘Go Hard’ at Jrue Holiday to Replace Harden

An NBA Insider claims the Sixers will try to do everything it takes to land Jrue Holiday.

Following the Damian Lillard blockbuster trade, which took place on Wednesday, there’s another All-Star guard taking up space on the trade block next to Philadelphia 76ers standout James Harden.

Jrue Holiday, despite getting traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, will not pack up and move out West just yet. Considering the Blazers’ decision to go young and part ways with the 33-year-old Damian Lillard signaled the team was headed towards a youth movement, Holiday’s presence in Portland doesn’t make much sense.

Moments after Holiday was alerted he was headed to the Blazers in the trade, it was reported that Portland would send him elsewhere in due time. And not long after the Blazers’ next plan was revealed, the Sixers were quickly linked to Holiday as potential trade suitors.

As PHLY’s Kyle Neubeck reported on Wednesday, the Sixers are interested in a potential reunion with Holiday but anticipate a robust market for the valuable two-way standout. While Holiday would’ve been a solid fit for the Sixers in recent seasons, his presence now could be much-needed, considering the Sixers’ struggles to keep James Harden sold on the organization.

A List of Jrue Holiday's Suitors

With the Holiday sweepstakes already taking the NBA by storm, as a long list of teams have already been linked to the guard, The Athletic’s Shams Charania zeroed in on the Sixers while discussing the latest on the situation this week.

“There’s a good chance he moves before media day on Monday,” said Charania. “The Clippers have interest, potentially. Philadelphia has interest in him, and Philadelphia is going to be going hard at him. So, James Harden would have to be a part of a transaction like that. I think it’s to be determined, but I don’t think James Harden’s mindset has changed at all.”

“There’s a good chance [Jrue Holiday] moves before media day on monday….and Philadelphia is going to go hard at him so James Harden would have to be part of a transaction like that”

-@ShamsCharania

(Via @PatMcAfeeShow ) pic.twitter.com/nRAlCJddlk

— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BASKETBALLonX) September 29, 2023

What Stands Out?

Portland might’ve been patient in the Lillard saga, waiting several months before officially making their big move. In this case, however, they won’t drag their feet one bit. Media day is just a few days from now, and it seems the Blazers want to know exactly who they have on their roster before the real preparation for next year begins.

By now, we know the Clippers are likely interested in Holiday. The big question is whether they like Harden or Holiday more. With the Clippers being really the only team to show interest in trading for Harden this offseason, their thoughts on Holiday could make or break the Sixers’ chances of getting Harden the trade that he wants.

Lastly, Shams notes that Harden’s mind hasn’t “changed at all,” which unsurprisingly leads the Sixers down a path that a couple of teams have seen. 

The Houston Rockets experienced a Harden standoff first-hand in 2020. The Brooklyn Nets didn’t have to deal with offseason antics from the ten-time All-Star, but he forced a mid-season trade to the Sixers in 2021. Swapping a disgruntled Harden for a Holiday reunion would be quite the flip for Philadelphia — but the Sixers have to hope the Clippers or the Blazers are willing to help in this scenario.