Breaking: The Philadelphia 76ers are focused on trading Ben Simmons for James Harden. Will the Brooklyn Nets accept what Philadelphia has to offer?
It has been nearly six months since the last time Ben Simmons has played 76ers basketball. Due to his abysmal performance and lack of support from the organization, Simmons felt he had no choice but to request a trade out of Philadelphia. With the relationship forever tarnished for Simmons and the 76ers, Daryl Morey has been given the responsibility and expectation to trade the former All-Star to improve their situation.
Unfortunately, every offer that Morey has been given was either immediately declined or ridiculously altered. This has resulted in many organizations around the NBA feeling less motivated to trade for Simmons. Morey’s actions are stunting the growth of Simmons and hindering the future of Philadelphia despite his intentions of wanting to build a championship-worthy roster around Joel Embiid.
The 76ers situation has been an endless drama that seems to have no end. Although the 76ers played exceptional basketball before being ridiculed with injuries and health and safety protocols, Philadelphia can improve their roster to elevate themselves as legitimate title contenders. The first step in fulfilling their potential is to understand that Ben Simmons’s value in the NBA is increasingly depleting by the day. However, Morey may have a plan that the rest of the NBA might have overlooked.
According to a story from Kieth Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, he believes that the 76ers have the opportunity to trade for one of the greatest players in the NBA today. Pompey reveals that Morey has intentions of waiting for the perfect opportunity to push for a Ben Simmons for James Harden exchange.
“However, several members of the front office are keen on the idea of keeping Simmons this season and pursuing Harden from the Brooklyn Nets for a sign and trade, according to multiple sources.
Harden did not sign a contract extension with the Nets prior to the Oct. 18 deadline. The Nets’ All-Star has a player-option for $47.4 million next season.
It’s no secret that Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has an affinity for Harden from their time together with the Houston Rockets.
Morey attempted to reunite with Harden last season, offering Simmons and Matisse Thybulle in a trade.”
(These quotes are from an article written by Ernesto Cova of Bolavip.com). (The person speaking is Kieth Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer).
The likelihood of the 76ers completing a trade for Harden is unlikely as the Brooklyn Nets have no intentions of trading Harden yet. Depending on how this season unfolds, the Nets could either re-sign Harden to a max-extension, have Harden accept his player option, or agree on doing a sign and trade with a different organization like the 76ers. The Nets should be incredibly stressed as they could lose one of the best players in the NBA today. With Morey and Harden already having great history among each other, the Nets are competing to win a championship this season and competing to re-sign James Harden.
Morey’s intention in waiting for the right trade for Simmons is admirable as he is putting the 76ers’ interest over Simmons. However, waiting to trade for Harden by the trade deadline or the off-season could also hinder the 76ers long-term as the value of Simmons is depleting by the day. Harden and Embiid would be incredible and dominant. Still, the likelihood of the 76ers successfully trading for Harden is unlikely, especially when the Nets share the same aspirations as the 76ers in winning a championship. For the Nets to consider a trade for Harden, the 76ers would need to trade Simmons, Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle and draft picks. Looking at Morey’s track record of negotiating transactions for Simmons, he would most likely decline this trade and close the Harden to Philadelphia chapter.
Closing Thoughts
The 76ers during the 2020-21 season had an opportunity to trade Simmons for Harden and declined. Morey’s belief in the Simmons and Embiid duo ended up ruining the only chance of the 76ers being legitimate title contenders. Unless Morey is willing to trade more than just Simmons, Harden will never be a member of the 76ers. The only way Morey could successfully bring Harden to Philadelphia is if he re-considers a trade involving the Detroit Pistons.