Harden and Philadelphia 76ers became confusing after the 76ers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs. US media reporter Fisher reported that the 76ers seemed to be preparing for a showdown with Harden. Fisher said the 76ers were unwilling to give Harden a four-year cap after he exercised his player option. salary contract. It is not like giving Harden a two-year contract extension with a maximum salary of US$100 million as rumored, but trying to persuade Harden to lower his salary to help Philadelphia build a new championship lineup. There are even plans to put multiple players from the team on the shelves together.
76 When people got Harden, they thought Embiid and Harden could be comparable to the "OK combination". It turns out that's not the case at all. Harden and Embiid are not compatible. Harden cannot display the strength of the three-time scoring champion in Philadelphia's system. His average number of shots per game has been reduced to less than 20, and he is becoming more and more hesitant in the game. Before Harden joined, Embiid had a good chance of winning the regular season MVP. However, after Harden joined, the 76ers lost all strong dialogues, and Embiid bid farewell to the MVP competition.
After being eliminated by the Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals, 76ers core Embiid and team coach Rivers both expressed dissatisfaction with Harden, hoping that Harden could show his past self, and Harden himself also Not willing to cut salary, after all, if you cut salary, you will lose the initiative.
Like Philadelphia, there are many internal conflicts among the teams in the league. For example, the Lakers are troubled by Westbrook problems; and the Trail Blazers are left with Lillard to continue building. The championship lineup has been wavering on whether to trade Lillard for reconstruction. Under such circumstances, it is necessary for the three teams to change their teams together. US media reported that these three teams may reach a three-party deal and achieve a win-win situation.
The specific trading plan sends Westbrook, Reeves, 2027 and 2029 first-round picks to the Lakers, the Trail Blazers send Lillard, 76ers sends Harden, and the 23rd pick in the first round of 2022; the Lakers get Ha , Philadelphia gets Lillard, and the Trail Blazers get Westbrook, Reeves, first-round picks in 2027 and 2029, and the 23rd pick in the 2022 first round. First of all, this deal is very suitable for Philadelphia. The contradiction between Harden no longer exists. Embiid has long wanted to join forces with Lillard. He once asked the management to exchange Simmons for Lillard. After the transaction is completed, it can be regarded as Got what I wanted. Lillard teamed up with Embiid and finally saw hope of competing for the championship.
The Blazers are actually a little hesitant about renewing Lillard's contract. Because it is obvious that the Trail Blazers are building a team around Lillard, and the upper limit is playoffs . If Lillard is really renewed with a maximum salary contract, the Blazers will be very passive when Lillard's condition declines due to age. After this deal is completed, the Trail Blazers no longer have to worry about whether to renew Lillard. Westbrook, who only has one year left on his contract, does not hinder their reconstruction at all. At the same time, they received multiple first-round picks, which is very helpful for reconstruction. .
For the Lakers, the heavy burden of Westbrook was finally put away, and Harden was also acquired to form a new Big Three lineup. Harden is only 32 years old this year. This is an age at his peak. His partnership with Davis can keep the Lakers competitive for a long time. In the last few years of James's peak, the Lakers still have the ability to maintain their competitiveness. The possibility of a championship run. In this transaction, the three companies each get what they need, the Trail Blazers get the future, the Lakers and the 76ers get the present, maybe next year's finals will be a contest between the Lakers and the 76ers.
