Daryl Morey‘s asking price for Sixers star James Harden so far has been “exorbitant,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said during a Friday appearance on NBA Today (YouTube link). However, according to Wojnarowski, that’s not an uncommon starting point for Morey, who generally exercises patience when dealing with a high-profile trade candidate.
“That’s where Daryl Morey always starts in trade talks, really high,” Wojnarowski said. “And then over time, perhaps, you work him back down.”
Wojnarowski reiterates, as others have reported, that the Sixers seem to be holding out hope that Harden will reconsider his trade request and decide to remain in Philadelphia for the 2023/24 season. However, the former MVP has reportedly maintained his desire to be traded, so if he hasn’t been moved by the time training camps open in September, it may result in an unpleasant situation.
“They may get to training camp and it may look different to Philly,” Wojnarowski said. “They may have a James Harden who’s not as enthusiastic about his return as they are. And then maybe they get more serious about (trading him). But right now, I think the Harden talks – like (the Damian Lillard ones) – are going to linger into the summer.”
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- Brian Keefe, who spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach in Brooklyn, is joining the Wizards‘ staff under Wes Unseld Jr., sources tell Wojnarowski (Twitter link). As our tracker shows, Keefe was among the candidates to interview for Detroit’s head coaching job this spring.
- In a conversation with Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, general manager Jon Horst discussed several Bucks-related topics, including how the club is navigating the second tax apron, Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s health, Bobby Portis‘ role on Team USA, MarJon Beauchamp‘s outlook, and more. Horst said that Antetokounmpo’s knee is “doing great” following a clean-up procedure in June.
- Following the signing of Donte DiVincenzo, Zach Braziller of The New York Post wonders if Quentin Grimes – who started 66 games and averaged 29.9 MPG last season – will still play a significant role for the Knicks going forward or if he might become more valuable to the team as a trade chip in a deal that would help balance the roster and/or add an impact player.
The Knicks hopefully won’t trade Grimes. I think he’s been the Knicks best SG since Allan Houston. I would only consider a Grimes trade if he’s part of a deal for Bridges on the Nets.
The amount of disrespect. Knick fans think this dude is like the GOAT and instead of trading him for clearly better players yall hold onto him like the second coming of Kobe.
Why do non Knick fans feel compelled to post their haterade whenever there’s anything about the Knicks? We don’t care about your half cent remark. Go back to your sorry franchise and leave the biggest market comments behind. We DON’T want to trade Grimes! Divence chi o and Grimes make the Knicks a better team playing together. If we were to trade Grimes then we would be back to square one with only one role player who can consistently knock down a three. Grimes is a 3 and D player. That’s why he’s so valuable.
I can’t wait to see Divence chi o play.
Morey needs to know a couple things before he trades Harden. I think the Dame trade needs to take place first, bc it could involve Harden in one of those huge 5 or 6 team trades.
But also, he is probably waiting to see what happens with OG and Siakam. Those 2 represent the 2 of the Top-5 best available FAs next year (assuming likely opt-in or extensions happen), so if they get extended or traded to a team they likely reup with, it changes his outlook on preserving that +60M in cap space next season.
The drop-off is significant due to age or circumstances (DeRozan, Bridges).
If he thinks there’s little chance to get someone significant next offseason, he could pursue a LaVine through a Harden trade (multi-team). Or someone of that ilk with multiple years left on their deal.
deja vu. ground hog day in phila.
I think Grimes will still likely start. With Randle, Brunson and Barrett in the starting lineup, the Knicks need a low usage spot up shooter. Dante would be better suited to play with Quickley on the second unit sharing ball handling responsibilities.
Grimes is a very good complimentary player, but for anyone who thinks the Knicks shouldn’t give him up in a star trade is nuts.
A real star trade and not just an upgrade. We wanttogetbetterand not stay competitively the same
Only one who can start over Grimes is DeM DeR. Grimes is the starter here. He is still getting better. He was hurt for parts of last season. But I just do t see the Knicks standing Pat this yr. And SG is where they can bring in a star.
I believe Thibs and the FO think. Knicks with right trade this yr. Can challenge for East. They’ve seen the Heat do it without Dame. So the next step is a big trade.
Now that Obi1 is gone. It’s Randle or bust. Grimes is solid but still growing as a player. So if we get a vet like DeR. He’d have to be included in the trade. Donte is solid depth like Hart is. Both can start if you need them too.
Quickley, Grimes, Fournier, Mitch, our picks. Are all parts we can move to upgrade. Imo the two best additions we can make to upgrade this team.
Is DeM DeR at SG.
Or Rudy at Center.
Either one is a major upgrade for Knicks.
Why wouldn’t Philly take …..
Morris – 17 mill expiring contract
Covington – 12 mill expiring contract
Westbrook – 2yrs at 4 mill. Last yr PO
Or Powell instead of Westbrook and Covington.
For Harden ????
Westbrook is a better defender. And can put up 10 ast a gm. Plus you got depth.
Westbrook would play to get to Finals ……
Because that’s just a pile of mediocre players that won’t improve this team.
It’s better than having Harden. Who won’t play or finish the yr in Philly.
You can’t trade Rw per cba rules
LOL. Grimes is probably the safest player on the roster other than Brunson. He’s our only true floor spacer, which is the weakest element of our half court offense. He’s our top perimeter defender. He’s on a cheap RSC for the next two seasons. Never say never, but I can’t imagine the deal where it would make sense to trade him.
Mitch 28/Hartenstein 20
Randle 35/Hart 13
Grimes 25/Hart 17/Barrett 5
Barrett 25/Quickley 16divemchenko 7
Brunson35/divenchencko 13
Tight, probably too tight, but they knew this when they signed DiV.
I don’t think IQ, the runner up 6MOY, is going to get just 16 mpg. But he’d most likely be guy they’d trade. He’s desired and cheap, but a RFA after this year, and we might not have the minutes to justify what he can command in salary. DiV can do what he does backing up Brunson, and we also have McBride.
Love to have e Harden as a Clipps fan but not if it means gutting the team. Losing a Mann is not an easy thing to fill. This team, as it’s stands, could be scary good. A lot of young quality depth in Highland and even Martin Jr. Team is athletic and the pieces surrounding Kawhi and PG are capable of winning without those two. This is a sneaky good squad.
In the same boat as Morey.
Play the waiting game and get what you want, worked well with Ben Simmons last time.
My ideal return would be
Harden and Tobias for PG, Marcus Morris, RoCo and Mann.
If we got that I’d be stoked.
Beverly Maxey PG Tucker Embiid
Melton Mann RoCo Morris Harrell
Funny thing is clippers would look great too
Russ Harden Kawhi Tobias Zubac
Bones Powell Martin Batum Plumblee