NBA Trade Idea: Magic Acquires 76ers' James Harden?
The Orlando Magic has an incredible young core that runs deep. The team has compiled enough young talent that its next step in the rebuild is to make the playoffs. However, with things starting to trend south with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Magic could expedite its playoff arrival.
Fadeaway World compiled a trade package that lands 76ers star James Harden with the Magic.
The proposed package lands Harden in Orlando, with Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz and Gary Harris heading to Philadelphia.
If the market is as bare as it seems, this could somehow be one of the best packages the team receives.
"Trading for James Harden would likely be a temporary solution, given that he is unlikely to sign a contract extension with the franchise," Fadeaway World writes. "In this scenario, the Philadelphia 76ers would get three players that could contribute immediately."
There's no clean way out of this mess for the 76ers. Evidently, the mishandling of talents has led to Joel Embiid having sparse talent, and if Harden receives his wish to be traded, Embiid might have to consider doing the same thing himself.
Fultz and Anthony are rotational-level guards, and both have seen improvements in their careers with their time in Orlando. However, in this case, the 76ers lose their second option behind Embiid, and they're nothing without that.
For the Magic, Harden is a short-term solution that allows the team to unload that cap space at the end of the deal. Harden would help the team make their playoff return and potentially rejuvenate his career to boost his value ahead of his free agency.
If the Magic is keen on the idea of Anthony Black being the point guard of the future, both Fultz and Anthony are expendable assets and retaining Jalen Suggs provides safety for the team.
You can follow Kade Kimble on Twitter @KadeKimble.
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