Harden Traded For Lavine in Bold Proposal

With around 2 weeks until the 2023/2024 NBA season tips off, teams are running out of time to make significant roster changes in hopes of improving. While stars like Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal have already found new teams, one significant superstar player remains on the trading block.

James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers publicly announced his desire to leave the franchise earlier this summer, and one recent trade proposal would finally see him do that as he becomes a Chicago Bull in a swap for Zach LaVine and a future first-round pick.

On paper, this trade is a win-win as it poses a solution to Philadelphia's problems since they reportedly cannot find a Harden trade that returns them an All-Star caliber player, which LaVine is. As for Chicago, it rejuvenates their core and brings in a legitimate point guard to run the floor for Vucevic and DeRozan, which they have not had since Lonzo Ball's injury.

Philadelphia's Outcome


There are high tensions within the Philadelphia organization due to the current Harden situation, and there are possible hints that their franchise player, Joel Embiid, may demand a trade. After missing out on other potential stars this past year, LaVine appears to be their best option for a quick resolution. With Embiid currently in his prime and coming off an MVP-winning season, they certainly don't want to waste too much time, especially with the upgrades that both Boston and Milwaukee have made in recent months.


Regarding LaVine's fit on the roster, he is an All-Star-level wing player, adding a dynamic we haven't seen in Philadelphia over the last few years. Embiid has been paired with Simmons and Harden, who have both played facilitating roles from the point guard position. This approach has only taken them as far as the second round of the playoffs. With LaVine's offensive capabilities from the wing position, we may see the 76ers recreate what they had when Jimmy Butler filled this role in his sole season with the team. During that season, they took the eventual champion Toronto Raptors to a thrilling seven-game series.

The draft pick holds no immediate value and is likely to be used in further trades to improve the supporting roster behind Embiid and LaVine. Last year, Lavine averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.


Chicago's Outcome

The Bulls have been stagnant for several seasons now, despite making clear attempts to try and contend. They signed DeRozan in free agency and made a deadline-day trade to acquire Nikola Vucevic, yet they have consistently been disappointing by season's end year after year. Every member of their core roster has been involved in trade rumors this summer, and it is widely known that this is definitively the last chance for this core as teammates. Vucevic has called out his teammates to step up this coming season.

Harden's addition to the roster will give the Bulls a legitimate star point guard for the first time since MVP winner Derrick Rose played for the Bulls. While the surrounding cast is certainly competent, with former All-Stars Vucevic and DeRozan, as well as former champions in Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond, it is clear that Harden would undoubtedly be the best player on the team.


This favors Harden, as he would no longer be a second option to Embiid and would have a larger role, which is ultimately one of the alleged reasons for his trade request. This is also why Ime Udoka, the Rockets' head coach, turned down James Harden returning to Houston.


Summary

As of right now, there are no prominent reports to suggest that talks are ongoing between the Bulls and 76ers. However, I think that clearly this looks like a situation where both teams will be better off. Last season, the 76ers lost to the Celtics in seven games during the second round of the playoffs, while the Bulls lost to the Heat in the play-in tournament.



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