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How can Chris Paul’s Suns situation affect James Harden, Sixers?

Ky Carlin
·2 min read
2

The NBA world received a bit of a shock on Wednesday when it was reported that the Phoenix Suns intend to move on from Chris Paul. Either the Suns will waive Paul or they will trade the future Hall of Famer.

Now, of course, there is an idea floating out there that the Suns will just waive Paul and then re-sign him to a cheaper deal. It makes sense. Despite his injury, Paul is still an elite point guard in the NBA and he had a very good season, averaging 13.9 points and 8.9 assists in 2022-23.

Now, how can this affect James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers? ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne floated an idea when discussing the Paul news regarding the Suns:

I’m simultaneously texting like four people as you just read that to me because it’s really shocking. They don’t do that unless they feel really good about somebody else. I want you to keep your eye on James Harden. I don’t want to report anything but that was in the wind in the last month or so. Everybody thinks it’s like Philly or Houston, but I don’t know. There has been discussion in the wind.

Harden has reportedly been torn between choosing the Sixers or the Rockets ahead of free agency beginning on June 30, but considering what’s going on with Paul, this development could change the math for Philadelphia.

The Suns don’t have the cap space the Rockets have. Therefore, if they were to do anything regarding Harden, it would have to be a sign-and-trade much like the Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat situation in 2019.

Could the Sixers and the Suns just swap point guards? It isn’t a far-fetched idea. Paul is set to make $30.8 million in the 2023-24 season and $30 million in the 2024-25 season. President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey will consider all options before making a move.

Story originally appeared on Sixers Wire