NBA Trade Rumors: Pros and cons of Philadelphia 76ers not trading James Harden

Pro No. 3: James Harden gives the Sixers more time to figure out what moves lie ahead

Piggybacking off pro No. 2, keeping James Harden on the Sixers’ roster for one more season will give the team more time to figure out what may come next. Clearly, the Sixers should’ve probably been better equipped for the scenario in which Harden would want out. But that’s neither here nor there. Another season with Harden would give the Sixers another whole season to figure out what the next pivot may be.

Listen, the Sixers completely botched this offseason. At this point, that can’t be argued. The fact that there’s a chance that they go from one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals to potentially being a team that finishes outside the top 4 in the East is downright unacceptable. But if the Sixers could find a way for Harden to move off his trade demand, they can somewhat salvage the season before it even starts.

Keeping Harden around one more season will give Philly the chance to sell Joel Embiid on the plan for the future. Based on the moves they made this summer, they may need that extra time. But there’s no guarantee that they’ll end up getting it.