It’s been more than a month since James Harden requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, but nothing has transpired thus far.
Instead of going to free agency, Harden opted into the $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season with the hope of helping the 76ers facilitate a trade. With Philly in win-now mode, finding a trade for their liking is easier said than done.
At Fadeaway World, Lee Tran proposed a massive three-team deal involving the 76ers, Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls.
Trans proposes the Mavericks landing Harden, while Philly gets Chicago All-Star DeMar DeRozan plus 2025 and 2028 third-round picks. The rebuilding Bulls would get Christian Wood in a sign-and-trade, Tim Hardaway Jr. and the Mavs’ 2027 first round pick:
“James Harden might not be the player he once was with the Houston Rockets, but he could definitely be a difference-maker for the Dallas Mavericks as a No. 3 option. Having him, Kyrie Irving, and Luka Doncic all on the same roster would make for a dynamic offense, and they would have the firepower to potentially compete against teams like the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets…
Adding DeMar DeRozan would mean that the Philadelphia 76ers can stay competitive even while losing James Harden, and add a consistent shot-creator to the roster. DeMar DeRozan is well-known for his ability to score from the midrange area, which is crucial in a playoff setting. Though he has not had championship success as a No. 1 option, it is quite possible that he will be better as a No. 2 option behind Joel Embiid.”
On paper, this idea makes sense for all three teams. Adding Harden to a core with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving would bolster their chances in a stacked Western Conference. DeRozan isn’t as dynamic a scorer as Harden, but he could still keep this team in title contention working alongside Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Maxey.
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Losing DeRozan would hurt the Bulls in the short term, but one can argue they’re better off beginning a full-scale rebuild with the idea of loading up on draft selections over the next few years.
Last season, Harden averaged 21 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game.
