Philadelphia 76ers: 3 playmakers to pair with Joel Embiid

When asked about how the Philadelphia 76ers performed versus the Phoenix Suns in their final game before the trade deadline, Doc Rivers made a pretty blunt statement of intentions to the assembled media.

“We need another guard.”

Boy, I tell ya; the subtext of that statement is going to be excavated for years.

Is Rivers right on the money? Yes. Are there guards available across the NBA who could fill that role? Yes, of all different sizes, shapes, and price points. So, with Daryl Morey working the phones, why not give him some help to see which guards should be on his acquisition list.

James Harden is the Philadelphia 76ers’ richest playmaking target.

I know, I know, more James Harden talk, I’m getting tired of it too, but in addition to being one of the best scorers in the NBA, “The Beard” can dish out dimes almost as well as he takes them.

Now, roughly a quarter of the way through February, Harden ranks second association-wide in total assists at 447 and assists per game at 10.2. If Harden can keep up that clip, this will mark his second-straight season with 10-plus assists per game and his third overall, following a 2016-17 campaign where he was crowned the assist champion.

Even if Harden and Tyrese Maxey start together in the Sixers’ frontcourt, Doc Rivers could stagger the duo’s minutes to keep at least one plus passes on the court at all times and ensure that Joel Embiid never has to wait eight seconds for the ball on an inbound pass again.

Want to know more about Harden? Read up on him here.