this post was submitted on 30 Oct 2023
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Could both be on the Sixers right now if Morey didn't have his unrequited mancrush on Harden.
Feels very unfair because harden over hailburton was a no brainer back then
no it wasnt
Harden had already forced his way off two teams, had a history of underachieving in the playoffs, had shown signs he'd lost a step and couldn't get by defenders anymore, was 32 and out of shape/injured and looking for a max contract. It was entirely foreseeable there'd be a high likelihood things wouldn't work out and many people predicted this.
Haliburton for Sabonis was considered a steal. Prevailing opinion at the time rated him over De'Aaron Fox and Kings were ridiculed for trading him. He was 21 and already shown the potential to be an allstar.
Definitely not a no brainer. The Harden trade was a risky 3 year gamble, at best. Who really thought he'd be worth a long term max and was retiring a sixer?
Plus the Sixers would still have all their Draft Capital outside of a 2025 Top 6 Protected 1st (rolls over Top 4 Protected 2026) owed to OKC for the Horford salary dump.
You also add valued Kings 1st’s because swapping Sabonis w/ Simmons means the Kings never take that next step because Simmons required back surgery months later.
So now instead of Harden and a single 2030 1st the Sixers would have had Haliburton, Heild, ton of Draft Capital and kept Curry/Drummond who were valued Depth pieces.