NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season

New York Knicks – Isaiah Hartenstein

Both R.J. Barrett and Julius Randle have frequented the NBA rumor mill far more than Isaiah Hartenstein, but neither is more likely to be traded than the former Los Angeles Clipper.

Barrett has accumulated plenty of detractors but has shown enough to be an integral part of the New York Knicks’ future moving forward. Both the Knicks and their fans would love to flip Randle for a more consistent upgrade, but the big man’s mercurial play and lofty contract would make him a difficult piece to move.

On the other hand, Hartenstein is a player who doesn’t seem to fit with the Knicks — at least, not in the way that head coach Tom Thibodeau wants to deploy him. He could add plenty of value to other teams as a short-roll playmaker, at-rim finisher, and backup defensive anchor, though.

With Jericho Sims and Isaiah Roby ready to step up and take the role as the reserve center, Hartenstein is a natural candidate to be dealt away if New York wants to shake things up before the trade deadline.

Philadelphia 76ers – James Harden

Even though the Philadelphia 76ers have gone public with their desire to retain James Harden and convince him to give it another shot at the title alongside Joel Embiid and company, it would be shocking to see the Beard finish next season on the same team.

Harden doesn’t want to be there and has made his malcontent explicitly clear. The Sixers do not trust him to be a top-two option on the team moving forward and have made that abundantly apparent with their hesitation to offer him the extension that he wanted.

At some point, something’s got to give. If Harden pulls the antics he did with the Houston Rockets in Philly while the Sixers chase another title, President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey should quickly change his tune and his asking price for the former MVP.