NBA legend Charles Barkley has voiced his opinion on the ongoing James Harden trade saga, suggesting that it is time for the 76ers to part ways with the superstar guard.
Barkley, who spent a significant portion of his career in Philadelphia, believes that the team should focus on building around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
During a recent interview on NBC Sports, Barkley expressed his viewpoint, stating, “I think it’s time for the Sixers to move on from James Harden. I think it’s time for them to make that trade and turn the team over to Joel and Maxey. That’s just my personal opinion.”
Barkley also addressed the lack of progress in trade discussions, attributing it to potential concerns over offering Harden a long-term contract. He expressed his hope that the Sixers would not commit to such a deal, citing the guard’s age and the potential risks associated with a lengthy contract.
“I think nobody wants to give James a longterm contract,” he said. “I think that’s the real reason. And I hope the Sixers don’t give him a longterm contract I think he wants a longterm deal and I don’t think at this stage of his career – because he’s only going to get older – so I think that’s the holdup.”
As the speculation surrounding Harden’s future continues, Barkley’s comments add another perspective to the ongoing debate about the best course of action for the Sixers. Time will tell whether the team decides to heed the advice of the NBA legend and pursue a trade for Harden or explore other options to shape their roster moving forward.
