Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey says he’s trying to honor James Harden‘s trade request but won’t make a deal unless he can get a top-level player in return, or enough assets to acquire a difference-maker in a separate trade.
In a revealing radio interview on The Anthony Gargano Show, Morey discussed the Harden situation, as well as other roster issues. The quotes were posted by 975TheFanatic.com. Morey said he’s seeking a “running mate” for Joel Embiid in a potential Harden trade, though he’s still hopeful Harden will change his mind.
“I do have a long relationship with him, and I am attempting to honor that,” Morey said. “If we do look at a trade, it will be for one of two things. Either a player who helps us be right there like we were last year. Up 3-2 on one of the best teams in the East, the Celtics. Obviously, we didn’t get it done, but James is one of the reasons we were up 3-2. Or we are going to do it where we get enough draft picks so we can turn those into a player who can be a running mate with Joel. If we don’t get either – a very good player or something we can turn into a very good player – then we will just not do it.”
In regard to finding another top talent to pair with Embiid, Morey expressed hope that Tyrese Maxey could develop into that type of player.
Here are some other highlights from the interview:
- Morey confirmed that the disconnect between Harden and the front office is due to the guard’s contract demands. Harden took a pay cut and signed a two-year deal last summer. He’s seeking a long-term deal, which Philly is reluctant to give him. “He is wishing for a different situation contractually,” Morey said. “That has been the main desire for looking for a new situation. At this point, if we can do something that is win–win, we will look at it. But if we can’t, then we won’t.” Harden picked up his option for next season prior to free agency.
- Morey realizes that fans are weary of the team’s playoff flameouts and says he feels their pain. “Losing the way we did, the fact that this has happened over and over. I do nothing else but try to figure out how to get this team over the hump.”
- Morey tried to calm down fans who are concerned about Embiid’s recent comments about wanting to win a championship “whether it’s in Philly or anywhere else.” He had some fun with that yesterday, that was a very Joel day yesterday. I spoke to him at length, he is very excited,” Morey said. “Coach (Nick) Nurse is planning to do some innovative things for training camp that Joel is excited about. ... He wants to win in Philly. That is the only place he wants to win. He was referencing the fact it is not totally in his control.”
- With Harden and Tobias Harris on expiring contracts, the Sixers could be in the rare position of a contending team with plenty of cap space next summer. Morey plans to protect that cap space as much as possible. He’s hopeful of acquiring another star in that fashion: “What we are attempting to do is not just have the best team this season, but also have the ability to be a very unique team with the most cap room for a team that is as good as us. The new CBA next year will put massive constraints downwards on salaries in the league. So us being the only team with a top player, where another player can join, puts us in a very unique situation.”
- That cap situation for 2024 is why the Sixers aren’t planning to extend Maxey this offseason, Mike Vurkonov of The Athletic tweets. “Because of the quirk of the CBA we will be able to add a significant player next year before we extend Maxey and he’ll be a cornerstone, once we do that, with the franchise for a very long time,” Morey said.
The top free agents that will actually be “available” will be Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. That could change if one or both are traded and extended.
I guess the get LeBron via drafting “Bronny” would also be in play for Philly. Don’t necessary have to give a piece, or ANY of that cap space above a minimum salary deal for LeBron. Could then use the cap to fill out the rest of the roster. Not sure if LeBron and Embiid are a fit, but Philly could in theory put together a monster roster.
LeBron is a fit with anybody and he ain’t playing for the minimum even if a team were to draft Bronny.
If LeBron is given a choice to play a season for the Lakers, at max money, and basically be competing for a chance to get into just the playoffs ……. Or, play for a team, like say Philadelphia, with a monster roster that can allow him a shot to get a ring WITH Bronny …….. LeBron will take his shot at getting a title with Bronny, and worry about getting paid if he wants to continue playing the following year … LeBron is a Billionaire. He will give up a year of pay, to pursue his “Dream” of not just playing with Bronny, but winning a ring with him.
Lakers are in position to blow it up if it becomes clear after this season that they are no longer title contenders. Lakers will gladly take the cap space to wait on their next superstar to fall into their laps.
How cool – you know LeBron personally. That’s epic.
Are you aware that the Lakers went to the WCF? Do you really think they’re going to fall that far off to be “fighting for a playoff spot” in one season?
Lol Philly can’t make it past the second round because embiid folds like Ben Simmons in the playoffs, Lebron isn’t going to look at Philly as a monster if you minus Harden and Harris lol Philly fans are unbearable
Lakers did go to WCF. Yes, they did.
Memphis was missing Steven Adams and Brandon Clark from frontcourt.
Kawhi and Paul George were hurt.
Phoenix now has a Full roster adding Brad Beal to Kevin Durant who was added to Devin Booker.
Zion out for New Orleans.
LeBron gonna be 40. AD still made out of glass.
Only PHX and MEM are unique the other 3 (Kawhi+PG13, Zion, and LBJ a year older) are locks to happen again in 23-24.
Each comment I read from Very Barry just gets progressively more incorrect. Dude you have no idea what you’re talking about; relax. None of what you’ve said about the current state of the Lakers is correct. Quite literally NONE. Wow.
Bron and Bronny will be playing for a team that Bron has already played for, and it’s pretty obvious where that is… by the water.
A lake – not an ocean.
LeBron isn’t signing for the minimum. I don’t know where that idea started -and I get he has more money than he could probably ever spend- but it’s not just about his bank account. LeBron understands the business of basketball, and I highly doubt he’s going to give teams the ability to say to other players “but LeBron is playing for the minimum!”
He might sacrifice a few million, but 0 chance he signs league minimum.
Westbrook just did. Just to stay in L.A.
(…in fact Clippers should be sending the Lakers a “thank you” draft pick just for making it all possible.)
LeBron to Philly is a very nice pipe dream. Drafting Bronny is viable. The Lakers do not have a 2024 1st. Sixers do.
Now as to the min deal. Highly unlikely. However, the MLE probably would be the route. And I say this bc if they get Bronny, and have almost 2 max slots, everyone and their mother knows LeBron is going to Philly. I think they get 1 of Siakam or OG anyway, if neither is extended this offseason.
In a LBJ scenario you’d want OG. Embiid – Bron – OG – Bronny – Maxey. Does Bronny start no but hes a lock for the roster.
Bball, Springer, PJ, and Melton could also be on the team or moved for more cap space. If Bron assumes the point guard duties at least 50%, they wouldn’t necessarily need a Harden, CP3, Conley, Westbrook, DinWiddie, or Lowry. They could be more creative in roster construction.
Pipe dream tho, but it could happen.
Moreyon is a counter. Should have been an accountant. Sixers aren’t going anywhere with Harden. And they’re not getting much in return. Should just take Clippers offer …
It sounds like his goal is to have cap space next summer with maxey and Harden expiring. He’d rather run it back this season with Harden than to make a bad trade and take back a bad contract.
Lol Harris expiring and harden expiring. Maxey is going nowhere.
If you knew how the CBA worked you let Maxey expire and you sign him AFTER bringing in new guys with the cap space. It’s called Bird rights. I thought you knew that? Or do I have a misunderstanding of how it works?
But Harden is not playing in Philly. He is 34. He’s doing what he wants to do. Moreyon is just stalling to get a better deal. It’s not happening. He’s risking alienating Embiid ….
Cram it Knicks nerd
Agree. Morey has not done a good job building that roster. And l, who is going to want to go to Philly after bait and switched on his buddy harden.
What bait and switch? LeBron is the only current player with a max contract signed Age 34 or beyond. The other 2 huge deals signed CP3 and Lowry were bad deals and CP3 just go dumped 2x and Lowry is about to get dumped.
Only LeBron, Steph and KD signed a higher AAV deal than Harden who were 32 or older at the time (he was 32 when he signed). Harden is not better than those 3. This whole team friendly deal nonsense.. who was lining up last offseason to dole out 68M or more to Harden over 2 years?
33 players have a higher AAV than Harden right now. 25 of 33 were under 30 when they signed their deal.
The remaining players – Dame, Curry, LeBron, Jimmy, KD, PG13, Kawhi, Kyrie. If you’re ranking those guys with Harden, where’s Harden landing? Probably tied with Kyrie at the bottom of that list, both above Kawhi b/c he’s always injured.
I’m sure Morey offered him a reasonable deal, and he declined. You can have grand illusions all you want about being a max player at 34 yrs old, but if no one else is going to give you even your current salary x 4 years, why should the Sixers?
I agree that harden does not deserve too money. The bait and switch is that harden took a below market deal in dollars and years last year with the handshake that they would agree to an extension. Maybe not max. Either way, Sixers are not a championship contender.
I just don’t see what team is gonna trade a high impact player or significant assets for Harden. Most teams with significant draft capital aren’t a Harden away from a title so aren’t going to mortgage their future for him. Teams with a running mate level talent aren’t moving a younger, all-star level player for him either.
Harden should play out the year in Philly – likely his best chance to win – then enter free-agency. Philly can then use that space to take on a disgruntled impact veteran that will surely want out somewhere (Ja, Luka, etc) and reup Maxey.
Philly can also use all of that cap space to do a quick rebuild. Give Maxey his money. Trade Embiid. Knicks? Mitchell Robinson, Grimes, fillers and picks? Maxey, Robinson, picks and cap space is not necessarily a bad start to resetting a roster that was gonna get reset by age or injury to Embiid anyway. Give it one last shot in 2023-24??
No thanks ….
Embiid isn’t getting traded anytime soon but you would change your tune real quick if he actually got traded to the Knicks Al.
No thanks …. never liked him. I rather have Rudy. Cheaper and better for us ….
I walk my talk …. You’ll learn that
Well that makes two of us!
Turning your nose up at the MVP. Lol fans are hilarious.
You mean Jokic?
Team headlined by Maxey, Robinson, would not be a “quick rebuild”
It would be more like a quick road to mediocrity.
I think Randle would have to be a part of the deal, vs he and Embid being on the same team. The City’s dramatic arts are on Broadway, not Seventh Avenue.
Can the Sixers or Blazers resolve both there issues by teaming the guards up with each other
No one is giving Harden a long term contract. Dude your 33 and on the decline. I would just take what I could get for him, better that then a locker room problem.
“A very Joel day”…cringe
A very Joel day,huh? Glad I don’t live in Philly, it must’ve stunk outside
Morey has gone from analytics darling to a joke…
It doesn’t work with Harden… We’ve seen this year after year after year…
The 76ers aren’t going to get the return Morey wants so they are stuck with Harden…
I don’t see an impact player coming back in a Harden trade. So if we put that to bed. A bevvy of FRPs? Nope. Put that to bed. Expiring contracts and depth? Yup.
Marcus Morris, RoCo, Batum, Tyus Jones > Sixers
Harden, PJ, Furkan > Clippers
Springer, Powell > Wizards
Could also do Delon Wright and send someone like Muscala to a 4th team. Do picks need to be involved, not sure. But something along this framework would potentially work. Clippers keep Mann.