“Wouldn’t think twice” – Stephen A. Smith DOWNPLAYS James Harden, asks Philly to pick Damian Lillard in replacement

Stephen A. Smith's Hot Take on Damian Lillard and James Harden: The Future of the Philadelphia 76ers


“Wouldn’t think twice” – Stephen A. Smith DOWNPLAYS James Harden, asks Philly to pick Damian Lillard in replacement

Damian Lillard, Stephen A. Smith, James Harden

During a recent episode of First Take, basketball analyst Stephen A. Smith shared his thoughts on where Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard might end up in the future. Smith suggested that Philadelphia 76ers would be a good destination for Lillard, despite the fact that James Harden has been performing well for the Sixers this season.

Harden’s ten assists per game have shown that he meshes well with potential MVP Joel Embiid. Moreover, Harden has embraced his role as the second option on the team, which has been advantageous for the Sixers, who currently hold a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference.

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Smith believes that bringing in Lillard would be a game-changer for the Sixers, even if it meant losing James Harden in the process. “I would take Damian Lillard over James Harden in a heartbeat. I wouldn’t think twice if I was Philly and I can get my hands on Dame, and I had to forfeit Harden — I’m not talking about trading, if he walked out the door — so be it,” Smith stated.

Related: Stephen A Smith Calls Out NBA Stars for ‘Load Management’: “Players Resting Does Not Look Good for Fans”

The Future of the Philadelphia 76ers

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James Harden and Joel Embiid (image via GETTY IMAGES)

While Smith’s hot take certainly got people talking, the reality is that the Sixers are in a good place right now. The team is looking to make a deep run in the playoffs, and rumors about James Harden leaving are not what they want to hear at this moment.

However, it’s clear that the franchise will need to make some decisions in the near future. The team has struggled in the playoffs in recent years, and adding a player like Damian Lillard could be the missing piece to help them reach the NBA Finals.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that Lillard will even be available. But if he is, the Sixers will need to seriously consider making a move. It’s a tough decision to make, as James Harden has been a valuable player for the team this season. But the chance to add a superstar like Lillard could be too good to pass up.

Ultimately, the future of the Sixers will depend on how they perform in the playoffs. If they can make a deep run and potentially reach the Finals, they may not need to make any major changes. But if they fall short once again, the front office will need to take a hard look at their roster and make some tough decisions.

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