Inside The Celtics

What the 76ers' Trading James Harden Means for the Celtics

In trading James Harden, the 76ers, who would prefer to build around Joel Embiid, motivating them to act aggressively in-season, gained significant draft capital.

Bobby Krivitsky

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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The Boston Celtics improved to 3-0 Monday night with a 126-107 win over the Washington Wizards in the nation's capital.

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 69 points in 36 minutes, Boston's defense held the hosts to 75 through three quarters, and the visitors never trailed.

After the victory, Brown, Tatum, and head coach Joe Mazzulla discussed their emphasis on not letting who their opponent is dictating their effort after it repeatedly proved the case last season.

That includes Brown voicing, "mindset (and) mentality is something that we've all been preaching. Joe has made sure that he's been emphasizing that. As the leader on the team, I've been making sure we've been emphasizing that. We've got to run through the finish line. Nights like tonight, where it's easy to take your foot off the gas, but if you want to do what you say you want to do, we've got to come out and play the game the right way, have the right mentality, have the right mindset, and take care of business."

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Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots the ball over Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert (24).

Hours after their dominant display in D.C., an Eastern Conference nemesis, the Philadelphia 76ers, made waves with a trade sending James Harden and P.J. Tucker to the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal netting them two first-round picks, including one that's unprotected in 2028, plus the right to swap round-one selections.

The Sixers now project to have between $50-$65 million in cap space next season. Players on expiring contracts or who could opt out of their deals to reach the open market next summer include Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Klay Thompson, OG Anunoby, LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, and Pascal Siakam.

But along with some of those names seeming like unrealistic targets for Philadelphia, the franchise would prefer to build around Joel Embiid, motivating the 76ers not to waste the 2023-24 campaign, one that will see the reigning MVP, a seven-footer with a lengthy injury history, turn 30.

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Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34).

So, while it's possible one of Boston's biggest rivals waits until the summer, leaving them at a clear disadvantage in the East and possibly leading to this being Embiid's last run with the Sixers, expect them to be aggressive in pursuing acquiring a significant in-season upgrade.

That could result in swinging a deal for a player like Zach LaVine, Anunoby, or Siakam. While that wouldn't put them on the same tier as the Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks from this vantage point, pairing an impactful wing with Embiid and Tyrese Maxey returns Philadelphia to its familiar status as one of the top teams in the conference.

For now, the 76ers aren't a threat, but either that changes, whether it's during the current campaign or over the summer, or their star center will find a new NBA home this offseason.

Further Reading

James Harden Trade Bolsters Clippers, Prepares 76ers for Future with or Without Joel Embiid

Weighing Whether Celtics Should Sign Danny Green

After Dominant Display vs. Wizards, Celtics Discuss Not Playing Down to Competition

Oshae Brissett Shines in Celtics Win vs. Heat: 'He Changed the Game'

Here's Where Jaylen Brown Impressed Joe Mazzulla the Most in Celtics' Win vs. Heat

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Celtics Embracing Sacrifice in Championship Pursuit: 'Have to Buy into That'

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule

Dwyane Wade Discusses Jayson Tatum's Next Step, Him and Jaylen Brown's Challenge, Heat Culture, Pat Riley, Damian Lillard, and Life After Basketball

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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