Followers of the Philadelphia 76ers are probably anxiously ready without spending a dime company to start to see whether or not star James Harden will keep or go away. Since December, the Houston Rockets have been believed to be the 76ers’ largest risk to stealing Harden. Now, in line with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, that’s not the case.
The Phoenix Suns, who’ve already made waves of their offseason by trying to transfer on from future Corridor of Famer Chris Paul, are seen as a possible touchdown spot for Harden. The Suns’ choice to not waive Paul outright may very well be a sign of their pursuit of Harden.
Whereas Harden can’t signal with a staff previous to July 1st and the Suns should resolve what to do with Paul by June twenty eighth, they might presumably be moved for each other. If the Suns have cause to consider that Harden and the Sixers can be open to a sign-and-trade this summer season, then they might maintain onto Paul with the purpose of buying and selling him to Philadelphia.
James Harden would give the Phoenix a giant three.
Harden would give the Suns a 3rd star whereas concurrently permitting them to improve at level guard with Paul declining. Higher but, they might be capable of hold Deandre Ayton out of the deal, giving new coach Frank Vogel an opportunity to work with him and hopefully salvage his worth.
From Philadelphia’s perspective, given the danger of shedding Harden for nothing, they might comply with take Paul again as a stop-gap possibility at level guard, in hopes of not taking an excessive amount of of a step again. It’s removed from good, however Paul may assist the Sixers compete within the brief time period whereas working to reshape their roster round Joel Embiid in the long run.
Alternatively, the Rockets can signal Harden outright, and whereas that doesn’t essentially give them a bonus over the Suns, it may if the Sixers resolve to not assist them in a sign-and-trade. That might damage Philadelphia, on condition that they might nonetheless lose him, however GM Darryl Morey could not wish to assist Harden type a high-powered huge three out west.
General, the Suns seem to have a good likelihood of convincing Harden to affix them since they’ve two stars in Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Be that as it could, the Sixers have made an effort to try to hold him, and so they may torpedo any hopes of Harden going to Phoenix.
In the meantime, the Rockets appear assured that he’ll return to Houston. With the Sixers, Suns, and Rockets pursuing Harden, he has the flexibility to dramatically alter three groups’ offseason.