Things have formally gone haywire within the Atlantic Division.
James Harden, the getting old playmaker and skilled commerce demander, opted into his contract for the Sixers on Thursday as a result of it would assist facilitate a deal and he wishes a relocation, based on ESPN. The Knicks and Clippers have been reported as early suitors for Harden, who has requested trades from three totally different groups in a span of simply 2 ½ years.
The Clippers make extra sense as a vacation spot for Harden, 33, who was sad dwelling in New York throughout his quick stint with the Nets. People across the NBA have been skeptical the Knicks would significantly pursue Harden to pair with Jalen Brunson within the backcourt.
Perhaps extra essential is the domino impact in Philadelphia. If Harden is out, what does that imply for the Sixers’ contending timeline and Joel Embiid, particularly? Embiid, the league’s reigning MVP, has been talked about round league circles as New York’s ultimate commerce candidate if he ever calls for out.
The 30-year-old Cameroonian was represented by Leon Rose, who was a longtime agent earlier than taking up as president of the Knicks.
“Leon is my guy,” Embiid mentioned after Rose was employed. “He’s like family to me. When I heard the news I was happy for him. He’s cool. Being an agent for such a long time and getting a GM or a president job I think is amazing. I’m so happy for him. I’m sure he’ll do a good job over there. I think he’s a great human being. He’s going to do a great job.”
The Sixers flamed out once more within the playoffs final season and have didn’t advance previous the second spherical since Allen Iverson led them to the Finals in 2001. Harden’s arrival in 2022, which was presupposed to push Philly into championship rivalry, shall be thought-about a disappointment if he’s traded. It shall be a blemish on the file of group president Daryl Morey, who pushed eagerly for Harden after their profitable stint collectively in Houston.
Harden, who stays an elite playmaker regardless of a pointy decline in manufacturing since leaving the Rockets in 2021, averaged 21 factors with a league-high 10.7 assists final season whereas failing to make the All-Star group for the primary time since 2013. His playoffs was a combined bag that ended with a dud in an elimination loss to the Celtics, when Harden shot 3-for-11 with 5 turnovers. He was linked to a reunion in Houston in free company, however the market clearly dictated he’d be higher off opting into the ultimate season to facilitate a commerce.
The Sixers lately fired veteran head coach Doc Rivers and employed Nick Nurse because the substitute. Nurse gained a championship with the Raptors in 2019 and one Philly possibility could also be to pursue his former level guard Fred VanVleet in free company.
By opting into his deal, Harden will earn $35.6 million subsequent season and develop into an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com