As the NBA's trade deadline neared and Ben Simmons' holdout continued, angst grew in Philadelphia. It appeared as though 76ers president Daryl Morey had overplayed his hand and overvalued the disgruntled star.
What Morey was actually doing, though, was showing that he understands the fickle nature of superstar relationships in the NBA. He waited patiently for the type of entertaining, Association-specific chaos that might dislodge a star elsewhere.
In the end, James Harden - the player who helped shape Morey's career after the former Rockets executive acquired him a decade ago, and the star Morey knows best - was precisely the agent of chaos Philly was waiting for.
Trading Simmons, the sweet-shooting Seth Curry, and multiple first-round draft picks (plus backup center Andre Drummond) for Harden obviously carries risk. The 32-year-old has sulked his way out of town two years in a row - he's all but quit on two different teams in 13 months - and doesn't look like the player he was even a year or two ago, let alone the player who was named MVP four years ago.
But even in his diminished state, moving heaven and earth still would've been worth if it meant the Sixers could pair Harden with Joel Embiid.
While Harden's floor has looked significantly lower this season than in past years, and he's been as inefficient and turnover prone as ever before, he still has a top gear few players can reach. He's averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 assists, and eight rebounds on 57.6% true shooting. Harden's "down" year is still the type of season only he and Oscar Robertson have ever been capable of.
Before hamstring tightness, trade rumors, and obvious disinterest set in about two weeks ago, there was also increasing evidence that Harden was returning to form. Over a 15-game stretch from Christmas Day through Jan. 25, Harden averaged 26.4 points on 59% true shooting, and recorded six games of 30-plus points and double-digit assists.
Harden may not create offensive advantages as effortlessly as he once did, but his continued ability to act as a one-man offense is still more valuable than Simmons ever was at that end of the court, and still concerns opposing defenses more than Curry's impressive shooting and off-ball movement.
The fact remains: The Beard is still one of the game's best playmakers. He and Embiid will combine for their fair share of turnovers, and that'll drive head coach Doc Rivers mad at times, but the Sixers have rarely employed an offensive initiator sound enough to even throw Embiid a reliable post-entry pass. Now they employ an offensive legend whose passing alone can dismantle defenses.
With all due respect to Simmons and Jimmy Butler, Embiid's never enjoyed the luxury of playing with a teammate as game-changing as Harden's still capable of being on his best nights.
There's also far less risk associated with this trade now that Harden has already opted into his 2022-23 option (worth nearly $46.9 million). The Sixers don't have to fear watching a restless Harden walk for nothing this summer after sacrificing so much to acquire him, but they don't have to stress about rushing to overpay for his twilight years with some sort of mega-extension this year, either. Harden's commitment now gives the Sixers a legitimate chance to compete for a championship over the next two postseasons.
The rest of Embiid's supporting cast also looks more formidable, with Harden's arrival putting players in more suitable positions to succeed.
Tyrese Maxey, who's having a stellar sophomore campaign, can continue to evolve as a scorer, playmaker, and slasher without the unfair pressure of needing to be a wannabe contender's second option this spring. Tobias Harris, and the unique shot-creation he possesses at his size, looks a lot better as a third or fourth option than he does as a make-believe star whose offense Philly relies upon in big moments. The offensive development of Matisse Thybulle - one of the league's most promising defensive players - is no longer something to fret about.
Of course, the singular justification for this trade, and the reason the potential reward mitigates any risk that Harden brings to Philly in his literal and theoretical baggage, is the presence of Embiid.
The 2021 MVP runner-up is playing at an outrageous level this season. Harden committing to continue helping Embiid next season is a bonus, but Morey landing a player who can help the big man in the present was a necessity. As I wrote a couple weeks ago in imploring Morey's Sixers to make a Simmons deal before the deadline, Philly may never again get a season like this from Embiid; not because the star center's game might deteriorate, but because few big men in history have been capable of playing at Embiid's current level.
The rarified air Embiid has entered this season is why the Sixers had to maximize the window of opportunity before them.
What some in Brooklyn and Houston might describe as the worst of James Harden helped crack that window open for Philadelphia.
If the Sixers get anything close to the best of Harden, there's gold to be won.
Joseph Casciaro is theScore's senior basketball writer
