The Damian Lillard saga ended a couple of weeks ago. The drama regarding James Harden remains unresolved.
Contrary to early concerns, Harden reportedly hasn’t been disruptive during the Sixers’ training camp. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Harden will be “engaged” as long as he feels Philadelphia’s front office will continue to pursue a trade with the Clippers, his preferred destination.
That seems unlikely to happen in the short term. There’s “no traction” on a potential swap between those two parties, Wojnarowski said on Monday.
Reportedly the Clippers have offered a future first-rounder, a pick swap and expiring contracts for Harden. The Sixers’ top executive, Daryl Morey, is holding out for more assets.
Morey is intent on protecting his cap space for next offseason. That’s why the Sixers’ haven’t pursued an extension with their other starting guard, Tyrese Maxey. They could have the most cap space of any team if they don’t add future salary to their balance sheet.
It’s hard to tell just how much the Clippers want Harden. Coach Tyronn Lue has stated that he wants his club to take the regular season more seriously and get a better seed in a pivotal season for the franchise. Would Harden blend in well with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George or would acquiring him lead to some chemistry issues?
As we saw with Lillard’s situation, there could be a surprise outcome. Few anticipated Lillard would wind up in Milwaukee and Jrue Holiday would become the starting point guard for one of its main Eastern Conference rivals.
So the possibility of Harden winding up with another team that lost out in the Lillard/Holiday sweepstakes, such as Miami or Toronto, can’t entirely be ruled out. It’s also not out of the question Harden could be traded to a non-contender in a salary-dumping move if Morey is willing to add a sweetener or two, rather than the other way around.
That brings us to our topic of the day: How do you think the Harden saga will end? Will he stay in Philadelphia, get traded to the Clippers or be moved to a mystery team?
Please take to the comments section to weigh on this topic. We look forward to your input.
I have this feeling he is gonna be stuck in Philly. I’m ok with any outcome outside of a poor trade that helps the clippers (or another team) and doesn’t move the needle for us.
100%
It’s going to be tricky. It always is with a player that wants out. There may be a better chance during the season than before it, but he could wind up playing out the season.
Seems like a John Wall and Houston Rockets situation. I think he stays in Philly but doesn’t play. Then Philly tries to deal him mid season.
I don’t get why the Clippers are even interested. His game doesn’t blend well with George or Leonard. But to be fair at this point I don’t think his game fits well with anyone.
The beard led the league in helpers fart, your premise he doesn’t fit, his game fits nowhere is beyond ludicrous its fart provoking.
That only matters if he actually plays hard for his new team. Unlikely since he’s thrown tantrums and requested a trade on 3 consecutive teams.
I think the only team that might want Harden is the New York Jets
Probably will be stuck in Philly and pout his way thru the szn. However there’s an interesting alternate universe where he winds up in Miami. Prolly won’t happen bc sixers don’t want herro but it’s intriguing bc he needs the heat system, who knows maybe it could actually work
Count me in on the Harden working for Mia as a mercenary but I just see the in – conference trade w Philly being a big obstacle to overcome
I don’t approve of many of his off court antics but the dude still has game and could be a difference maker in a few eco systems ( Mia is def one ) – Would be kinda cool for Mia to play the villain (us against the world ) role this year
Right , I could see that Miami team lowkey working. They could provide the structure and mentality that harden has always needed (as long as he buys in which I’m not sure he’s cut out for), and he gives them the playmaker they’ve needed forever. Would be a complicated trade tho they’d have to send herro to a third team
The thought of that slob playing for the Heat makes this Knicks fan smile. I can’t think of anyone further removed from Heat culture. Those of you who think he would adapt, I want a hit of whatever you’re smoking.
I know it’s crazy trust me, can’t thing of two bigger opposites , but it’s so crazy it just might work. Maybe even harden has some inner part of him that’s sick of himself
I’m w ya Ben, part of the perks of having a great core is the ability to make these strange scenarios work in short periods
*harden can’t even talk contract numbers all year so that wouldn’t be an issue
Also lowerys expiring + draft capital would prolly be the piece so no Herro worries imo
Still the in-conf thing has me hung up
How do you guys feel about Harden to Charlotte for Gordon Hayward, Kai Jones and an unprotected Charlotte first or two protected firsts?
Charlotte is really thin at guard behind Rozier and Ball, and Harden gives them a second playmaker.
Hayward is in the last year of his deal and unlikely to remain healthy throughout a full season nor re-sign in Charlotte next summer. Charlotte gets to evaluate Harden as a potential long-term fit before signing him and makes a ticket sales splash/playoff push, which seems to be a perpetual organizational priority.
Sixers retain their cap flexibility for next summer by taking on Hayward’s expiring and add a good draft asset. Embiid plays until the All-Star game, then gets a six-month paid vacation until next fall as he misses the second half with General Soreness. In the summer Sixers sign Maxey to the 25% max with his low cap hold, Siakam to the 30% max, Miles bridges to nearly the 25% max, and trade away the Charlotte first-round pick and PJ Tucker’s $11M expiring for a low-cost starting SG. Fill out the roster with minimums. Lineup: Maxey, rookie deal SG, Bridges, Siakam, Embiid.
Like the brainstorming but I think it’s just too early to pull that string for Cha
I bet Harden would be thrilled
Morey is NOT doing a salary dump move with him, and adding sweetener on top of it
I don’t think anyone on earth predicted Lillard to the Bucks. So it has to be a mystery team. That’s what’s trending.
I wouldn’t mind him on Miami, but not for Herro. No F king way.
76ers should hold firm for the best offer and move on.
And being from there, I feel they should ship off Harden and Fire Morey. Philly deserves better.
The difference is people actually like Lillard. I don’t see many surprise teams even wanting Harden. His history and antics are a huge threat to any contending team.
Miami is the Wildcard for sure in the Harden deal. I could see Toronto being a third team in a three team trade.
I am beginning to wonder if Houston is eyeing for a reunion with Harden. They have one or two open spots on the roster currently. Making it easy to add him after a trade. I just don’t see anything but a KPJ being available besides draft picks for Harden. Then again, Morey isn’t looking for a salary dump either. It’s just odd that Rockets have kept 1 or 2 spots open since their free agent frenzy and releases.
Harden will play when he feels like it pretty much describes his last few seasons and I don’t expect it to change.
He has nobody to blame but himself for his trade value being so low for a guy who still puts up some numbers.
He probably show up if the game is in ATL or Houston. If they have great strip clubs and buffets you can find him.
Suppose the Sixers do this trade like everyone is just saying “take it”. They do a 3 for 1 where the salaries match. Sixers now have 18 contracts. What 3 guys do they cut?
Embiid, Reed, Maxey, Melton, House, Korkmaz, Springer, PJ, Green, Oubre, Bev, Harrell, Bamba, Tobias, Petrusev, and 3 Clippers players.
Green is the easiest bc its Non guaranteed. Petrusev is Partially. Harrell is Fully and can’t be traded until Dec 15th. Whomever they get from the Clippers will be fully guaranteed. Otherwise they have to trade a couple guys for nothing (no one has cap space to do that).
I just don’t see a team competing with Harden…
I also don’t see a team raising the price on that Clippers offer…