A blockbuster trade proposal has the Philadelphia 76ers sending disgruntled All-Star guard James Harden to a top contender in the Western Conference.
It’s been two months since the future Hall of Famer and 2018 league MVP requested a trade from Philly. Harden even opted into his $35.6 million player option for 2023-24, hoping it would help facilitate a trade.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley proposed a trade for all 30 NBA teams to get out of their worst contracts. For the Phoenix Suns, Buckley proposed the idea of them landing Harden and defensive stalwart P.J. Tucker in exchange for All-Star guard Bradley Beal plus 2024, 2028 and 2029 second-round picks:
“If the Suns wound up shopping Beal, they’d almost certainly be looking for a star. They’ve already splurged on two (Beal and Kevin Durant), and they clearly think stacking them is the key to delivering the franchise’s first NBA title.
Phoenix has been identified as a possible Harden suitor before, and you could make the case his playmaking ability would have more impact than Beal’s scoring, since both would functionally fill third-option roles behind Durant and Kevin Booker.
The Suns could also get Tucker in the deal, both to make the money work and to address some of their depth issues on the wing.”
The Suns acquired Beal in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards earlier this offseason. As enticing as Harden would be for Phoenix, they’re surely at least keen on starting the season with Beal and fellow All-Stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
The 34-year-old Harden was acquired by the 76ers in a massive trade last year from the Atlantic Division rival Brooklyn Nets. Harden and Joel Embiid have been a prolific scoring duo together, but the 76ers were unable to advance past round two in both 2022 and 2023.
Last season, Harden averaged 21 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game.
