Kendrick Perkins Suggests Perfect Replacement for James Harden in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia 76ers are at an interesting crossroads this offseason with James Harden expected to hit the free-agent market, and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins had some strong thoughts when asked about Philadelphia’s direction on Monday’s episode of First Take.

Perkins criticized how the Sixers seem to be focused on retaining Harden and even floated a potential replacement that he believes would improve Philly’s chances of winning a championship.

“We don’t even know who the most important player to that franchise is,” Perkins said. “The way the Philadelphia 76ers are moving, they’re acting like James Harden is their top priority, and that’s not it. They have other options and other players that would love to come and play with Joel Embiid.”

Harden’s postseason performances against the Celtics drew the ire of some Sixers fans. He shot just 4-of-16 from the field in what could have been a clinching Game 6 and scored just nine points on 3-of-11 shooting in the Sixers’ Game 7 blowout loss. That has created some major questions as to whether Harden can help lift a team (even one with Embiid) to a championship.

Perkins’ suggestion for a replacement for Harden in Philadelphia: Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, who recently opted out of his contract with Toronto. In fact, Perkins says a trio of Embiid, VanVleet and Tyrese Maxey would be more potent than the Sixers’ current core with Harden and Maxey in the backcourt.

“Fred VanVleet has proven to us on the big stage that he can play off the ball,” Perkins said. “[Maxey] is going to be a star in this league. James Harden doesn’t want to take a lesser role.”

Does Perkins have a point? While the salary cap implications of signing VanVleet might be difficult, there’s no doubt that plenty of scenarios will be explored by the Sixers ahead of the start of free agency later this week.