PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers' "Scenario A," as president of basketball operations Daryl Morey termed it last month, is re-signing James Harden (presumably after he declines his $35.6 million player option for next season). Not just because the former MVP is still a 20-and-10 player who led the NBA in assists last season. But because if Harden walks, the money that the Sixers can only use to bring him back disappears with him.
So what is "Scenario B" in the event Harden leaves to return to the Houston Rockets, which Morey acknowledged would require the Sixers to get more creative with their roster-building once free agency opens Friday night? Because the point-guard transaction carousel is already spinning, after future Hall of Famer Chris Paul was traded last week from the Phoenix Suns to the Washington Wizards and then to the Golden State Warriors. Marcus Smart and Tyus Jones also switched teams as part of the Kristaps Porzingis three-way deal between the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, and Wizards.
The Sixers, meanwhile, could rely on Tyrese Maxey (and, to a lesser extent, De'Anthony Melton) to handle the ball more, banking on Maxey's development as an offense-initiator and playmaker since he last held that role to start 2021-22 before Harden arrived at the trade deadline. That approach would turn their point-guard need into a complementary player who could start or come off the bench. Or, they could attempt to create the cap space required to lure a bigger name to directly replace Harden.
