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

James Harden addresses multiple needs for the Clippers, but what will his Philadelphia exit lead to for Joel Embiid and the Sixers?

Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Clippers will rely less on James Harden than any team the former MVP has played on since he was with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Of course, that's contingent upon Kawhi Leonard and Paul George staying healthy, which has rarely been the case since they joined forces. But if they are, it puts Harden in his optimal role.

The ten-time All-Star generated 21 points and 10.7 assists for the Philadelphia 76ers last season. He gives Los Angeles the bigger guard it's been searching for and provides a needed impact as a facilitator. And while he's not one to stay active off the ball, he gives them a connector who can create for others or collect a kick-out pass and knock down a three.

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James Harden (1) shoots game-winning three over Jaylen Brown (7) in overtime of Game 4 of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center.

And while Harden's not reliable as the number two on a title contender, his addition makes the Clippers better equipped to overcome losing one of its two other stars if Leonard or George are sidelined again in the playoffs.

Plus, while no one questions owner Steve Ballmer's willingness to invest in his franchise, especially as it prepares to move into its own stadium, trading two first-round picks, including one that's unprotected in 2028, plus the right to swap round-one selections, is added motivation to maintain one of the NBA's most expensive payrolls.

As for the Sixers, they removed a distraction, someone who no longer wanted to be there, held Tyrese Maxey back, and an individual they couldn't rely on in some of their most meaningful playoff games. That includes Harden finishing with nine points and a minus-30 plus-minus rating in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Boston Celtics.

Now, Philadelphia adds significant draft capital and sheds considerable payroll.

All the contracts the 76ers are receiving are expiring and do not impact their cap flexibility in 2024-25.

Philadelphia projects to have between $50-65M in room next season.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 31, 2023

Players on expiring contracts or who could opt out of their deals to reach the open market next summer include Leonard, George, Klay Thompson, OG Anunoby, LeBron James, DeMar DeRozan, and Pascal Siakam.

Some of those names don't seem like they will be in play for the 76ers, and none of them may be unless they trade for them.

President of basketball operations Daryl Morey would prefer to build around star center and reigning MVP Joel Embiid. That means it's best not to save the newly acquired draft capital for future campaigns, leaving the Sixers lacking the talent needed to contend in the Eastern Conference this season, one where the face of their franchise, a seven-foot center with a lengthy injury history, turns 30.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

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

They now have the assets needed to acquire a player like Zach LaVine, Anunoby, or Siakam. Someone of that caliber working alongside Embiid and Maxey makes Philadelphia dangerous, but from this vantage point, it doesn't put them on the same tier as the Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks in the East.

Maybe Morey disagrees. Or perhaps the 76ers pull off a trade for someone with more star power. But if not, as patient as Embiid will likely be, giving the organization time over the summer to elevate Philadelphia into a title contender again, he will reach a point in the offseason where he'll ask out if he believes it's in his best interest.

The New York Knicks are considered the favorite to acquire the six-time All-Star if that happens, but there will be many suitors willing to pay a premium to win the bidding war for his services.

That could lead to the Sixers parting with Embiid, a breakup neither side wants, to stockpile even more draft capital, preparing for a future without the five-time All-NBA selection.

Expect Morey to work aggressively to be on the receiving end of a trade to reel in a big fish this season. How that plays out will go a long way toward determining whether this is Embiid's last one in Philadelphia.

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