Two of the largest stars within the recreation – James Harden and Damian Lillard have gotten themselves into fairly the predicament with their respective groups.
Harden unexpectedly picked up his $35.6 million participant choice for the 2023-24 season, however solely as a result of him and the Sixers are exploring commerce choices.
Loads of suitors for The Beard emerged, together with the Clippers, Warmth and Knicks however returns on opt-in trades normally aren’t very robust, so we could have ourselves one other Ben Simmons scenario people.
“…Harden is assured to grow to be an unrestricted free agent subsequent summer time since he’s ineligible to signal an extension,” Forbes’ Bryan Toporek mentioned. “That might restrict how a lot the Clippers and different potential suitors are prepared to dangle in commerce talks.”
Philly’s president Daryl Morey is thought for holding out on making a commerce and based on NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, “it’s greater than conceivable” that Harden will nonetheless be in Philadelphia come coaching camp – and even past then.
“That’s been Daryl Morey’s observe report of not simply making a gift of an asset and so they do have time on their aspect within the offseason,” Wojnarowski mentioned on ESPN. “However they’ll be engaged with groups…
“I do suppose that with [Damian] Lillard being available on the market… it may well make it more durable for [the Philadelphia 76ers] if groups are prioritizing a Damian Lillard commerce however there could be a means the place there’s a multi-team deal that permits all of them to get what they need. These usually don’t come collectively in a short time.”
Lillard requesting out of Portland implies that the Warmth will probably be one much less staff targeted on buying a participant like Harden.
Miami beat reporter Ira Winderman revealed the franchise are extraordinarily targeted on Lillard, actually.
“Take anybody you need moreover Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler… ,” Winderman mentioned. “The Warmth are all-in on this. That is their second.”
If Miami are out of the market, it additionally provides the Sixers one much less staff to drive up a possible bidding struggle for Harden, which isn’t very best.
If the 76ers don’t get the asking value they need for Harden, Morey can flat out refuse to commerce the 10-time All-Star.
We could have ourselves a great quaint stand off, so don’t count on a Harden commerce to be pushed by way of anytime quickly.
