Three new NBA teams were linked to a potential James Harden trade with the Philadelphia 76ers this past week.
It is a matter of public record at this juncture that Harden wants out of Philly.
The Sixers, similarly, are eager to deal him – for the right price.
To date the Los Angeles Clippers are the only squad that has been mentioned as a legitimate suitor for Harden. That said, their reluctance to include two role players in any potential deal halted conversations between the two sides.
This week, NBA insider Howard Beck appeared on the ‘Clap Your Hands’ podcast and offered three other potential teams to watch.
“I don’t know who the teams are, I’m told there are three or four teams counting the Clippers that would have some interest,” Beck said.
“I try to scratch out my best guesses as to who might make a run at him. It’s not that great a list.”
Beck offered the Brooklyn Nets as one option.
“I wonder if Brooklyn would go down that path again. That’s just thinking out loud,” he said. “He left because Kyrie was driving him crazy and there were other issues there too, but the Nets want to win right now.”
The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls were two other options that were brought up.
“Miami, if they miss out on Dame Lillard, is an obvious one to factor in,” Beck continued.
“The Bulls are going to be missing Lonzo Ball for yet another season and that’s a team that doesn’t seem to care about the future at all. They’re all just about trying to tread water and be decent right now and they keep doubling down on the group they have.”
One way or another, Harden isn’t long for Philadelphia.
Livvy Dunne has done it yet again. https://t.co/TgH5spyurC
— Game 7 (@game7__) August 24, 2023
All sides want a speedy divorce.
It’s just a matter of finding a scenario that is a win-win-win for all parties involved.
Where will Harden ultimately be playing come the beginning of the 2023-24 NBA season? Time will tell.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
