It's funny: that's a reaction that I expect most CJ-haters to have, and as this board has a lot of those, maybe it'll be a dominant one. But I also think that Harris is widely seen as overpaid and overrated (perhaps even more than CJ) so I also expect people to hate the trade. Is it at all likely? Not really, although I think Philly is serious about not giving up Simmons for Harden, so that should shut down the Harden talk, and they might think that CJ is a cheap version of Harden who might work better alongside Simmons. And right now he's leading the entire league with 22 made three-pointers, so that should appeal to Morey. Meanwhile, Harris is actually playing well and is a solid rebounder, a weakness for us, and also an above-average defender, also a weakness for us. And while Olshey has proved perpetually reluctant to move CJ, I also think he sees Simons as a genuine star-in-waiting, and might be impatient for him to get minutes before we lose him, and this is the only way to ensure that he does (because CJ, to his credit, never misses games). The reason I included Milton in the trade is because I WANT A FUCKING BACKUP PG, especially if we're losing CJ. But this trade would leave Philly very thin up front. Maybe we can rope in Detroit, who has a surplus of beef up front to even things out.
Maxey alone is what makes this unrealistic. Dude is a stud. Miltons cheap contract #2. There is just literally no way Philly considers this.
I was one of the biggest proponents of the CJ/Ariza for Harris/Richardson trade when that was a thing. Now I just want to see how the season plays out. If Gary and DJJ do what I think they will, I'll just want to trade CJ for a backup PG, cap relief and whatever draft considerations we might be able to squeeze out of some team. If Gary and DJJ don't have breakout years and Dame and CJ continue what to do what they have in the past then I would think there will be major shakeups that I can't even project. If Dame and CJ can start to play acceptable defense together and move the ball without stalling it then I'd be ecstatic to have CJ a Blazers lifer.
Doc has unlocked Harris just like he did in LA again. Not sure Philly would even entertain trading him right now. Think they'd let Simmons go before Harris
Of course, one reason this trade got a lot less likely (that I forgot) is that the Sixers traded for Seth Curry, who is doing for them about what CJ would, only much cheaper: https://hoopshype.com/2021/01/04/seth-curry-philadelphia-76ers-analysis-ben-simmons-joel-embiid/
