At the moment, they may seem steadfast that Mann is untouchable, but if they want to get serious about acquiring Harden, they have to include him. It isn’t like the Sixers really want Mann, but he is a valuable role player who they can then flip, along with the draft picks, to acquire an impact player to team with Joel Embiid. The Clippers really want to have Harden team with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and this is the way to get it done. Acquiring an elite playmaker would do wonders for Leonard, George and Russell Westbrook in the Western Conference.

The Sixers know whatever they get from the Clippers will not put them over the top in the Eastern Conference.

Getting Mann, the draft picks, and the expiring contracts of Morris Sr. and Covington allows them to have the assets to flip those pieces to acquire an impact player to help Embiid get it done. Either way, President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey has to nail this Harden deal. Whatever he gets from the Clippers, he has to have another plan in place to then flip those pieces for that impact player. This is a deal that gives him the assets to do so.