Appearing on NBA Today on Thursday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski expressed a belief that the James Harden saga may continue to be “slow-going, well into the season” (Twitter video link).
As Wojnarowski explains, if the Sixers are going to trade Harden to the Clippers, they want to be able to quickly flip the assets they get from L.A. – and perhaps one or two of their own pieces – for an “All-Star level guard” who would replace Harden in their lineup. But that kind of player is unlikely to become available until closer to the trade deadline.
“The problem for this time of the year is who is that player – or players – out there that are available in the preseason, in training camp?” Wojnarowski said. “Those kind of players, they emerge as you get deeper into the season (and) teams start to maybe look at going in a different direction. Maybe they’re not going to re-sign a veteran player, they want to move off of him.
“The asking price this time of year for the players you might like to get to replace James Harden is going to be really high. So there’s not great motivation in Philadelphia necessarily to think that a deal with the Clippers now gets them the best value they can, the best player who might be available later in the year.”
As Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire relays, Wojnarowski also said that the Clippers continue to engage other teams to gauge the trade value of their 2028 first-round pick – and possibly a first-round pick swap for another year – to see if they’ll be able to acquire different assets that would appeal more to Daryl Morey and the 76ers. The expectation is that they’ll soon take some of those potential scenarios back to Philadelphia.
Here’s more on the Sixers:
- Danny Green could have decided to retire when he tore his ACL and LCL in May 2022, a month before he turned 35 years old. But he was determined not to let his career end that way, and now finds himself fighting for a roster spot in Philadelphia on a non-guaranteed contract this fall. “I didn’t do all that rehab for no reason,” Green said, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, adding that he believes he can still provide value as a three-and-D player and veteran leader: “I don’t want to be somewhere that they’re doing me a favor. I want to be a part of something that needs me. … If [the Sixers] feel that I can help them, then they’ll keep me along. I’m here to do my job and do it efficiently. I can still do that, and they think that I can. They think that I can help this group. And I believe that I can.”
- Speaking to Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer, new Sixers forward Kelly Oubre said he has had to “kill my ego” and “find who I am deep down inside” over the last couple years, which is one reason why he was comfortable accepting a minimum-salary contract after averaging 20-plus points per game last season. “I didn’t care about the money,” Oubre said. “I know what I’m worth and I know what I deserve. But if I have to protect my peace and my soul over the money, I’m going to do that any day of the week.”
- Sixers guard Furkan Korkmaz continues to be affected by a hamstring strain, according to Pompey (Twitter links). Korkmaz has missed both of the team’s preseason games so far and didn’t take part in practice on Thursday.
Harden can force the Sixers’ hand by playing lousy. By the rules he has to show up, not be effective. Will be interesting after he promised to never play for a team that had Morey on it if he eats his words to get paid.
Or harden gets injured and becomes worthless to any team.
Will be interesting if ownership buckles and gets rid of Morey, even though they were likely full on board with not giving harden a big contract. This is two drama sagas in a row. Although, then Harden will want his big contract and the new GM will say nahh, so back to square one.
And this is the most ridiculous comment I’ve read on the harden situation in Philly ever on this site…And that is saying alot.
New GM? Elton Brand has been the 76ers for just over five seasons, he’s not exactly new anymore.
Lol in a contract year?
And the Sixers can keep him glued to the bench or his couch.
So in a contract year an aging star with already a bad reputation after requesting his 3rd trade in 4 years is going to self sabotage his play? What a brilliant idea I bet teams will line up to pay him next offseason.
Clippers fan hoping for Hardens value to plummet?
Korkmaz is definitely trying to get released lol. Don’t blame him.
I like them alot this year as long as everyone puts their heart into it. Also waive Harrel and keep Green for championship experience
I think they’re keeping Harrel on the roster so they can use him a a contract match for another minimum player. Him plus seconds could get the Sixers someone decent if they handle it correctly.
Big if, I realize.
Before Silvers NBA you could not trade a injured player. I still think they should keep Green, it’s important. Trade Springer and Harrell for something or release Mo Bamba
Speaking of a Green where is Gerald Green?