Will the Sixers make a trade during the NBA draft? Considering Tobias Harris’ market, James Harden’s decision and more.
While there’s a lot of speculation that Tobias Harris could be dealt, a source told The Inquirer that a draft-night deal is unlikely.
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With the 28th pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, the Utah Jazz will make the selection the 76ers initially traded to the Brooklyn Nets last year.
In the second round, the Sixers surrendered the rights to the 34th pick to the Charlotte Hornets in a February trade centered on Jalen McDaniels and Matisse Thybulle. And they forfeited the 58th pick after the NBA determined they tampered in order to complete the free-agent signings of P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr.
That’s right! The Sixers don’t have a single pick in the draft at the Barclays Center ... at least, for now.
» READ MORE: Sixers’ future, for better or worse, depends on James Harden’s decision
The Sixers hope to acquire a second-round pick, and that could be a good thing. Even though this draft is top heavy, there should still be some value in the second round.
The Sixers could nab a young three-and-D talent and sign that player to a two-way contract. And based on Daryl Morey’s draft history as the Sixers’ president of basketball operations, it’s hard to believe that he’ll be content with sitting pat.
And there has been trade talk surrounding Tobias Harris entering draft week. Could he be on the move Thursday?
The Sixers forward is scheduled to make $39.2 million in 2023-24, the final season of the five-year, $180 million deal he signed in 2019. Harris could be used as a trade chip to acquire complementary players and assets from a team willing to give back value for the remaining year of his deal.
While there’s a lot of speculation that he could be dealt, a source said a draft-night deal is unlikely.
The Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Indiana Pacers have made inquiries about Harris’ availability, according to a source. Looking to add a veteran player, the Pacers are showing the most interest in the 10-year veteran. However, another source said the Sixers will only make a deal that would be hard to pass up. As a result, teams around the league believe the Sixers are overvaluing Harris and asking for “outrageous packages in return,” sources say.
» READ MORE: Montrezl Harrell opts out of contract with Sixers to become a free agent
Right now, the Sixers aren’t willing to trade him unless it drastically improves their team. But they’ll have opportunities to trade him if need be.
Contrary to public belief, the Sixers believe Harris is a solid fit for new coach Nick Nurse, who has had success with versatile forwards. If things don’t work out, the Sixers will have other opportunities to trade Harris before the 2024 trade deadline. If things go well, they could look to re-sign him at a more realistic rate once he becomes a free agent next summer.
But James Harden’s upcoming decision remains the elephant in the room, and his situation has overshadowed the Sixers’ draft.
The 10-time All-Star intends to opt out of his $35.6 million deal for next season with the Sixers before the June 29 deadline and become a free agent.
A month ago, NBA executives and league sources expected Harden to rejoin the Houston Rockets this summer.
The Sixers are not willing to hinder the team’s short- or long-term future by overpaying the 33-year-old Harden. The Rockets also don’t want to overpay for Harden, according to sources.
The sources also said that some within the Rockets organization are also interested in signing soon-to-be free agent and Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet to a lucrative contract. At this stage of their careers, VanVleet, 29, is considered a better fit for the Rockets. As a result, the days leading up to the start of free agency could be interesting.
» READ MORE: Sixers guard Danuel House Jr. picks up his player option for 2023-24 season
And if we’ve learned anything in recent drafts, it is that we shouldn’t be surprised if the Sixers make a move Thursday night.
They chose David Roddy out of Colorado State with that 23rd pick in last year’s draft. They then shipped Roddy and Danny Green to the Memphis Grizzlies for De’Anthony Melton.
The Sixers also unsuccessfully tried to move Thybulle during the 2022 draft.
All that came two years after the Sixers made draft-night headlines by agreeing to acquire Green in a package from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Al Horford, a future first-rounder, a second-rounder and the rights to Serbian point guard Vasilije Micic.
The Sixers also acquired Seth Curry from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Josh Richardson and the 36th pick in a separate deal during the 2020 NBA draft.
What will Morey and the Sixers do Thursday night?