Nearly a month has passed since James Harden requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, and the 33-year-old has still yet to be moved to another organization. But while conventional wisdom would suggest that’s a win for the Sixers organization, Stephen A. Smith argued Monday that Philadelphia would actually be better off without their well-traveled star.
Speaking on First Take Monday, Smith opined that the opportunity to put the ball in the hands of young guard Tyrese Maxey makes trading Harden the right move for the Sixers’ organization.
“I say roll the dice, take your chances,” Smith said. “You hand Tyrese Maxey that ball and say ‘you that dude.’”
.@stephenasmith thinks the 76ers are better off without James Harden 👀
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 24, 2023
"I think it's a beautiful thing if James Harden leaves Philadelphia for this one reason ... Tyrese Maxey. ... You're the Philadelphia 76ers, you hand Tyrese Maxey that ball and say, 'You that dude.'" pic.twitter.com/62IP3262QR
Despite his monster regular-season statistics, Harden’s struggles in the playoffs and tumultuous last few seasons that has led to him being traded twice since 2021 validate questions about whether he can lead the Sixers to a championship. Smith says Harden needs to “look in the mirror” regarding his constant moves.
Plus, Maxey is one of the brightest young talents in the NBA, fresh off a season in which he averaged more than 20 points per game and did so efficiently, shooting 48% from the field. Smith pointed out that Maxey and Stephen Curry were the only two players in the NBA a season ago to average more than 20 points per game and shoot better than 42% from downtown.
“If Harden is not there, that puts the ball in Maxey’s hands even more,” Smith said. “Whatever we’ve seen, we may see a better version in the years to come.”
It would be a risk to move on from a player as accomplished as Harden, but Smith makes a compelling case for rolling with the Kentucky product as the team’s top guard moving forward.
