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With just four days to go until the NBA trade deadline, the basketball community is on pins and needles. After weeks of the rumor mill being rather quiet, new reports have come about in a frenzy in recent days. The biggest news came Friday evening when Shams Charania reported the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets plan to engage in trade discussions for James Harden leading up to the deadline.
Before this report surfaced, it was growing more apparent a Ben Simmons trade was not going to happen before Feb. 10. Now, things have completely changed. Daryl Morey was in hot pursuit of Harden last season and will likely do everything he can to reunite with the former MVP.
Since Shams' report went live, there have been countless mock trades getting Harden to Philadelphia. While there are multiple different avenues for Morey to acquire the All-Star guard, here is one offer the team should heavily consider:
— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) February 4, 2022
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Parting with Seth Curry would be tough given how vital of a piece he has become, but with the addition of Harden, his services in the backcourt become somewhat expendable. Not to mention it's unlikely the Sixers will be able to retain Curry when he hits free agency after next season.
Acquiring Joe Harris in the deal also helps the Sixers upgrade in an area of need. When he returns (hopefully) from a foot injury he suffered back in November, he would help replace the shooting lost with Curry's departure and is at least a willing defender. Before being sidelined, the 30-year-old shot an impressive 46.6% from deep on six attempts per game.
The biggest takeaway from this type of trade framework is it allows the Sixers to keep their young assets. Last week, it was reported Morey had no intentions of packaging Tyrese Maxey or Matisse Thybulle with Ben Simmons for Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal, and it is now being reported that he doesn't want to include Maxey in a Harden deal.
Landing Harden without parting with either young player helps the Sixers in both the short and long term. They get a legitimate second option next to Joel Embiid and get to maintain their youth.
Daryl Morey has remained patient with a Simmons trade in hopes of making a home run swing, and this is it. A starting lineup composed of Maxey, Harden, Thybulle, Tobias Harris, and Embiid puts the Sixers in a position to compete with any team in the league come playoff time.
This framework should also entice the Brooklyn Nets, who are in dire need of depth pieces. Acquiring three playable experienced players should entice them as they look to get their season back on track.
At this point, there is no telling how eager Brooklyn is to actually send the All-Star guard to Philadelphia. That being said, if there is interest, this framework should be able to facilitate a trade.
