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James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) – New York Knicks
Would the Knicks accept this trade?
The New York Knicks have reached this point as a solid playoff team by being patient. They didn’t push their chips in for Donovan Mitchell last summer, they have allowed the draft to come to them, and they are developing young players even while Tom Thibodeau wants to run the vets.
Yet in the end, teams win championships by being bold, not timid. Harden would absolutely revolutionize the offense. Having two ball handlers to share the load would be elite, and both Brunson and Harden can shoot. The fit could work offensively.
Could it work defensively? That’s when things start to break down, but the Knicks certainly have options to insulate Harden and Brunson. Is this worth giving up RJ Barrett? If the Knicks believe he won’t ever be a long-term star, moving him now for an established star is a smart move. Harden could leave next summer as an unrestricted free agent, but the Knicks would have an excellent chance to re-sign him.
NBA titles aren’t won by the timid, but neither are title teams built through rash decisions. Even if the next league year imposes a strict deadline, the Knicks have time to ensure they are on the same page before making the deal. It would raise their ceiling and drop their floor impossibly low. Is that worth doing?
Maybe, maybe not.
Grade: B-
@TheAthletic <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/29/grade-the-trade-knicks-pull-off-james-harden-blockbuster-in-new-pitch-barrett/3/"https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@Stadium.
<p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/29/grade-the-trade-knicks-pull-off-james-harden-blockbuster-in-new-pitch-barrett/3/"https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1674519750792171524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>June 29, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The Knicks are in the market for a star, and they have plenty of young players, draft picks, and matching salary. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the Knicks were among the teams <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/29/grade-the-trade-knicks-pull-off-james-harden-blockbuster-in-new-pitch-barrett/3/"https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/29/nba-rumors-knicks-stunningly-linked-james-harden-trade-discussions-george/">making a push for Harden</a>, although SNY’s Ian Begley then clarified that the organization is torn over the possibility.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Heard Knicks’ interest in James Harden, at the moment, is far from uniform throughout the organization. Clippers have strong interest in trading for Harden. Would assume LAC’s interest is stronger than NYK’s presently. ESPN 1st reported Knicks’ interest in trading for Harden</p>
<p>— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/29/grade-the-trade-knicks-pull-off-james-harden-blockbuster-in-new-pitch-barrett/3/"https://twitter.com/IanBegley/status/1674532047866544137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>June 29, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Should the Knicks make an offer for James Harden? To do so they have to figure out what would be fair value. Harden is an All-Star guard still in his prime, but he is also on an expiring contract that is not eligible to be extended; wherever Harden goes, he will hit unrestricted free agency in a year.</p>
<h2>New York Knicks rival guard James Harden is on the trade market</h2>
<p>While the Knicks want to be careful not to spend too much, the 76ers aren’t going to just trade him for anything. What could a deal look like, then? Let’s build it out and see if we can find something for both sides.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/29/grade-the-trade-knicks-pull-off-james-harden-blockbuster-in-new-pitch-barrett/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> What should the Knicks give up? </a>
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<div class="details"> <div class="team-name">76ers Get</div> <div class="info">RJ Barrett</div> <div class="info">Evan Fournier</div> </div> </div> <div class="separator"></div> <div class="team b"> <div class="logo"><img src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/29/grade-the-trade-knicks-pull-off-james-harden-blockbuster-in-new-pitch-barrett/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fknicks.png"/>
<div class="details"> <div class="team-name">Knicks Get</div> <div class="info">James Harden</div> <div class="info">Forkan Kurkmaz</div> </div> </div> </div> </div>
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<p>Obviously, the Knicks would like to keep <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/29/grade-the-trade-knicks-pull-off-james-harden-blockbuster-in-new-pitch-barrett/3/"https://www.nba.com/player/1629628/rj-barrett" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RJ Barrett</a>, as he is young and under contract for a long time. At the same time, they have to get to Harden’s matching salary somehow, and trading Barrett is both the more valuable move from Philly’s perspective and lets the Knicks have a balanced lineup moving forward.</p>
<p>The 76ers get a young wing who is passable on defense and a good playmaker and scorer on offense. He hasn’t shown superstar upside, but he could reasonably make a couple of All-Star Games in a positive scenario. They wash their hands of James Harden, plug in Barrett, and make a run at another title with Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris increasing their roles.</p>
<p>If Philly can be enticed, do the Knicks say yes?</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/29/grade-the-trade-knicks-pull-off-james-harden-blockbuster-in-new-pitch-barrett/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Would the Knicks say yes? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-145345" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/06/29/grade-the-trade-knicks-pull-off-james-harden-blockbuster-in-new-pitch-barrett/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1488997182.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1488997182.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1488997182-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1488997182-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h2>Would the Knicks accept this trade?</h2>
<p>The New York Knicks have reached this point as a solid playoff team by being patient. They didn’t push their chips in for Donovan Mitchell last summer, they have allowed the draft to come to them, and they are developing young players even while Tom Thibodeau wants to run the vets.</p>
<p>Yet in the end, teams win championships by being bold, not timid. Harden would absolutely revolutionize the offense. Having two ball handlers to share the load would be elite, and both Brunson and Harden can shoot. The fit could work offensively.</p>
<p>Could it work defensively? That’s when things start to break down, but the Knicks certainly have options to insulate Harden and Brunson. Is this worth giving up RJ Barrett? If the Knicks believe he won’t ever be a long-term star, moving him now for an established star is a smart move. Harden could leave next summer as an unrestricted free agent, but the Knicks would have an excellent chance to re-sign him.</p>
<p>NBA titles aren’t won by the timid, but neither are title teams built through rash decisions. Even if the next league year imposes a strict deadline, the Knicks have time to ensure they are on the same page before making the deal. It would raise their ceiling and drop their floor impossibly low. Is that worth doing?</p>
<p>Maybe, maybe not.</p>
<p><strong>Grade: B-</strong></p>
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