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Grade the Trade: Knicks pull off James Harden blockbuster in new pitch

By Josh Cornelissen

Oct 31, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) on the court against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) on the court against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks, RJ Barrett
RJ Barrett, New York Knicks. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports) /

Laying out a James Harden deal

The Philadelphia 76ers have the reigning MVP on their team, so they aren’t going to suddenly embrace a rebuild. This is a team built to win now while Joel Embiid is in his prime, and that means they aren’t going to value draft picks and young prospects as much as other teams.

On the other hand, teams aren’t going to back up the Brinxx truck for Harden, not when he will turn 34 before the start of the season, and not when he will be a guaranteed free agent next summer.

How could the Knicks try to thread the needle? With a package that looks something like this:

Obviously, the Knicks would like to keep RJ Barrett, as he is young and under contract for a long time. At the same time, they have to get to Harden’s matching salary somehow, and trading Barrett is both the more valuable move from Philly’s perspective and lets the Knicks have a balanced lineup moving forward.

The 76ers get a young wing who is passable on defense and a good playmaker and scorer on offense. He hasn’t shown superstar upside, but he could reasonably make a couple of All-Star Games in a positive scenario. They wash their hands of James Harden, plug in Barrett, and make a run at another title with Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris increasing their roles.

If Philly can be enticed, do the Knicks say yes?

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