NBA Trades: 76ers and Clippers add stars in potential deal with Raptors
By Cal Durrett
NBA Trades: Would the Sixers agree to the deal?
The proposed deal would have the Sixers moving both Harden and Harris, in addition to a 2028 first-round pick, but receiving Siakam, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, and Marcus Morris in return. All things considered, that would actually be a good return for Harden. By trading Harden to the Clippers, the Clippers would in turn trade two firsts to the Raptors while shipping their three veterans on expiring contracts to the Sixers.
The Sixers would also ship Harris’ big expiring contract to Toronto along with a first to ensure they receive Siakam back. While Philadelphia plans to be a cap space team in 2024, there may actually be only a handful of stars available, and Siakam would be one of them. Trading for him now would give them a leg up on retaining him next summer.
It would also help them compete this season, which should keep superstar Joel Embiid happy. This is opposed to trading Harden for scraps and essentially punting on the season, or keeping him and having him sulk and not play hard until he gets his way. If there is a way to get Siakam in a deal for Harden, then the Sixers should take it, so they would probably say yes to the trade.