James Harden’s issues with Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers have been well-documented. He expected a long-term deal after taking a pay cut last summer, which did not happen. He also hoped to be traded to the Clippers, but that didn’t materialize either. With training camp approaching, the situation is becoming messy in Philadelphia. However, Sixers owner Josh Harris remains optimistic. He believes that most teams in the NBA would trade places with the Sixers in a heartbeat because they are still a competitive team.
Is Harris’ claim valid? Would other teams willingly switch places with the 76ers? On the positive side, the Sixers have an MVP player in Joel Embiid, a semi-contender status if Harden stays and commits, a potential future All-Star in Tyrese Maxey, and upcoming cap space. However, there are downsides to consider, such as the possibility of trading Harden and losing contender status, the uncertainty around Embiid’s future, and limited trade assets. The Sixers may have one more year as a second-tier contender before a potential rebuild.
Considering these factors, let’s assess which teams would agree to trade places with the Sixers:
ATLANTA HAWKS: Yes. The Hawks are eager to compete and have questions about building a contender around Trae Young. Therefore, they would opt for the swap.
BOSTON CELTICS: No.
BROOKLYN NETS: No. The Nets have already dealt with the Harden situation and are content with their current position.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS: Yes. The Hornets have a challenging path to becoming contenders, and they would seize the opportunity to become a fringe contender instantly.
CHICAGO BULLS: Yes. The Bulls prefer star-studded rosters, and Embiid is an upgrade. The Sixers also have a better cap sheet moving forward.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: No. The Cavaliers have comparable talent, and without the drama surrounding the Sixers.
DALLAS MAVERICKS: No.
DENVER NUGGETS: No.
DETROIT PISTONS: Yes. The Pistons have a promising young roster, but the chances of them having an MVP-caliber player like Embiid are slim.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: No.
HOUSTON ROCKETS: Yes. The Rockets have young talent and no immediate pressure to win, making the trade appealing.
INDIANA PACERS: Yes. Although they have promising young talents, the Pacers would take the gamble for a strong player like Embiid.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: No. The Clippers are genuine contenders without the drama surrounding the Sixers.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS: No.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: No.
MIAMI HEAT: No.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS: No.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: No.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: No.
NEW YORK KNICKS: No.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: No.
ORLANDO MAGIC: No.
PHOENIX SUNS: No.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: No.
SACRAMENTO KINGS: No.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: No.
TORONTO RAPTORS: Yes. The Raptors know the value of partnering with an MVP-level player, and they would be willing to figure out the details later.
UTAH JAZZ: No.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS: Yes. The Wizards would eagerly switch places with the Sixers for the opportunity to have Embiid. Even if the Sixers undergo a rebuild, they would be in a better position to build a contender.
FINAL TALLY
Based on this analysis, eight teams would agree to trade places with the Sixers, while 21 teams would not. This contradicts Harris’ claim that most teams would want to switch places with the 76ers. Even if we consider a few debatable cases, the number of teams willing to trade places with the Sixers does not come close to being the majority. Overall, Harris may be overestimating the strength of the Sixers’ current and future position as a contender.
The reality is that even with their current roster, the Sixers are not genuine contenders. Without Harden, they would fall far from contention, and the future looks uncertain. If they don’t improve quickly, Embiid is likely to leave. Even if he stays, the Sixers would struggle to maintain contender status as Embiid reaches his mid-thirties. Therefore, the situation in Philadelphia is less enviable than Harris believes.
