James Harden to the Sixers? Untouchable should not be in Morey’s vocabulary

NBA: DEC 27 Nets at Clippers
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 27: Brooklyn Nets Guard James Harden (13) argues a non foul call as the Los Angeles Clippers face off against the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, December 27, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Will Navarro/Icon Sportswire)

As the NBA Trade deadline looms, the word untouchable should not be synonymous with any player on this Sixers outside of the obvious – MVP candidate Joel Embiid. 

The Sixers have an incomplete team and changes are needed if they truly want to contend both now and in the future. This has been reflected in their inability to put together a consistent string of form. Instead, it’s the same old song of winning a few in dominant fashion, and then dropping embarrassing defeats.

The recent report from Shams Charania gives the Sixers a real chance at making the moves needed to make that jump. If you have not heard, Shams reported that the Sixers will pursue James Harden ahead of the trade deadline and that the Nets are open to a possible deal.

A James Harden deal would be ideal as it would give them the perimeter scoring they desperately need. The question is ‘what will be needed to make a deal like this happen?’ There are many conversations about young players like Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, and veteran guard Seth Curry.

Sixers fans naturally gravitate towards players who show growth and dedication to the game of basketball and their team, but that attachment should not stop the Sixers from making a deal that could change their trajectory. Although I’m against giving up both young players in Maxey and Thybulle, losing one of them, or a proven vet like a Seth curry or Danny Green should not be a reason not to bring in a 9x All-Star and 3x scoring champ in James Harden. 

Daryl Morey has a lot of work to do leading up to the deadline and needs to do right by Joel Embiid. He is playing at an MVP level once again and recently took the lead in the scoring title. Daryl Morey needs to do his part in building this team around him, no matter what or who it takes.

Photo by Will Navarro/Icon Sportswire