Although he’s said to be “very positive” about the Sixers‘ direction, James Harden‘s preference is that Philadelphia trade him, according to Mark Medina of Sportsnaut (Twitter links). For their part, the 76ers are listening to offers, but will only move forward on a trade if it’s “really good” and keeps them in title contention, Medina says, adding that the club is comfortable hanging onto Harden if such a deal doesn’t materialize.
[RELATED: James Harden picks up option, working with Sixers on trade]
The Clippers and Knicks were the first two potential trade partners reported to be eyeing Harden, but Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link) hears that New York’s interest is “far from uniform throughout the organization.”
Begley believes the Clippers’ interest is stronger than the Knicks’, and it sounds like Steve Popper of Newsday agrees — he suggests (via Twitter) that New York’s preference may be to get involved as a third team alongside L.A. in the hopes of landing Paul George. I’m skeptical the Clippers would be enthusiastic about moving PG13 as part of a deal for Harden, but George’s name has come up in a few trade rumors so far this offseason.
During a television appearance (Twitter video link via Evan Sidery), Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN referred to the Clippers as Harden’s “most prominent” suitor, though he stressed that Los Angeles won’t want to give up any of its “good young players” in a deal for the Sixers guard and would prefer to build a package out of expiring contracts and perhaps a draft pick.
Here are a few more trade-related rumors and notes from around the NBA:
- The Pelicans are exploring the trade market for a potential deal involving Kira Lewis, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, who tweets that a trade could provide the former 13th overall pick with an opportunity to play more for a new team. Lewis has appeared in just 103 games for the Pelicans across three seasons, including 25 in 2022/23. An ACL tear in December 2021 limited his availability over the last two seasons, but he hasn’t been a major part of New Orleans’ rotation even when healthy. The club also reportedly made him available in trade discussions at February’s deadline.
- With the Wizards believed to be seeking draft assets for guards Monte Morris and Delon Wright, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype spoke to rival executives who believe Washington could get at least one second-round pick – and maybe two – for each player.
- Although Hawks star Trae Young likes playing with big man Clint Capela, the team has been open to discussing Capela in trade talks this offseason in part because it wants to open up more playing time for Onyeka Okongwu, says Scotto.
- The Timberwolves are open to sign-and-trade scenarios involving guard Jaylen Nowell, league sources tell HoopsHype. Scotto doesn’t say anything about the Wolves working to re-sign Nowell, so it sounds like he won’t be a top priority for the team.
Sixers are so poorly run it’s a shame. U traded Ben for Harden. Ben wasn’t a fit with Doc, only to fire Doc and hire a coach(Nurse) who was a better fit with Ben. Morey is so CLUELESS
Buddy, Morey may be an idiot, but it’s not because he traded Ben for an All Star….
But it a big part. U traded away Ben and picks to get harden. Now harden is in the way out. It’s restarting a third time under Morey. Morey wanted to keep Ben(traded him) got harden(who is on the way out) only to start again with Nurse. All that in 1 1/2 years. The sixers are so poorly run
Simmons is a total disaster, so anything back was a positive
Ben is nothing but negative value and a complete waste of $
Morey did not draft Simmons nor did he hire Doc Rivers ……. as for trading Simmons for Harden, Morey got a great deal as Simmons has shown absolutely nothing, since being traded.
I don’t like Harden one bit, but he’s clearly better than the mental-midget Simmons (who hardly plays anyway).
Moreyon is clueless . He’s a numbers counter. Should’ve been an accountant.
“ the club is comfortable hanging onto Harden if such a deal doesn’t materialize.”
As I mentioned in the other thread Morey has no desire to actually trade Harden. Now if someone overpays his hand might be forced otherwise harden will be playing for Philly this coming season
Wrong. Harden is just going to hold out if they don’t trade him by the season.
No shot he comes back and plays for Philly again. Everyone knows he isn’t going to go back there. Morey is just trying to save face and make it seem like he has leverage (even tho they don’t)
Trading him to the clippers for multiple role players to put around Embiid makes way too much sense for both sides for it not to happen
Wrong. You don’t understand Morey at all. He sat on Ben Simmons while he didn’t even play until he got a good deal for him. Role players aren’t gonna get a deal done.
Guess we’ll just wait and see
Read, they can Keep Harden
For their part, the 76ers are listening to offers, but will only move forward on a trade if it’s “really good” and keeps them in title contention
Rockets need to trade young talents for Harden and give Harden huge money?
76ers – win win
Rockets lose, lose?
Trade him to Dallas, for sign n trade Kyrie.
I think Kyrie and Embiid would really work but Dallas is not giving up KI for that!
.. 76ers are listening to offers, but will only move forward on a trade if it’s “really good”…
I guess Harden is staying then. Unless PHI can convince itself that getting some overpriced veteran rotation pieces is something really good. They may want to do just that. Harden doesn’t even play hard when he wants to be someplace.
Only way is if it’s for PG13. No way on EARTH is Thibs taking on Harden. Players who don’t play D don’t do well in a Knicks uniform.
It’s clueless to even mention Knicks as a suitor.
Said long ago no one is paying this washed player. He had to pick up his option. And why would Sixers want him back. They are better off with CP3. They should pray he gets released or bought out. Just don’t see a good place for Haren. Philly is stuck with him it seems. You earned it own it. Moreyon should have been gone before Doc ….
Not with PG13 unless it’s cheap. Not overpaying for anyone. Days of Knicks giving away 1st rd picks and players are over. George has played I believe 56 gms last three yrs. Not really a guy Id want. I’d rather have Grant at the 3. Considering all that’s going down so far. I’m confident Knicks will find the right trade. PATIENCE ……
DeR is still the one for me.
Hawks are Hilarious ……
It’s one thing not having talent and messing up. Hawks have had plenty go thru them and still messed up. Like OKC …… some teams just don’t know what to do with talent.
Okongwu is a 4……. He will always be a 4. He’s and old school 4 for the mindless. He can play small ball 5. But he’s strength is at the PF position. He’s a 16 n 10 with solid team D. Now he and Capela might not be best mix. But a guy like Ayton or KP next to Okongwu. And you got a good big mix. It’s all about chemistry. Plenty of talented guys in NBA. But not all mix well. For plenty reasons. Your job as management and coach. Is to find the right mixes. For your best players, you’re CORE ………
Morris, Batum, and Powell for Harden and PJ Tucker.
Or for Harden, Korkmaz, and House.
That helps the Sixers.
Maxey, Powell, Tobias, Morris, Embiid.
Melton, PG/SG, Batum, PF, C
TBD on Reed, Niang, Shake, Springer, Korkmaz, House, Tucker based on trades or resigning.
Maybe look at Delon Wright. Monte Morris, Gallinari, or Muscala if its via trade.
The only thing Harden is positive about is that there is no market for his fat butt, at least at anything close to his current salary. That’s the ONLY reason he would do a U turn and pick up his option.
Opting in helps Harden get more $$, more certainly, helps PHI preserve this salary slot, and helps teams that can’t do a SNT acquire him via a regular trade. BUT it does NOT create trade value. PHI is not getting anything in return for Harden other guys of equal value to Harden (i.e., guys who have salaries that nobody would pay them on the UFA market this year).
Sixers should get what they can. I’d give him away to Clippers. Take back Morris, Powell.
Then go sign Westbrook ….. roll the dice.
Westbrook can give you same ast Harden did. And he plays better D. He’ll make Harris better too. Cause he’ll run more. Forget Harden man …….
Honestly, that sounds like a good move for the Sixers. Signing Westbrook, I mean. They could push the pace like they did with Simmons but without him clogging the paint in the half-court and being a liability for Embiid. Maxey would absolutely benefit from a faster pace, and Embiid still plays well in transition.
They’d miss the shooting that Harden has, but adding Powell, Morris, and Batum would cover that. Though I don’t know that Sixers fans want to deal with the Marcus Morris experience; Clippers fans hated him this past season.