Rumour: Harden to the 76ers?

[Ed Monix]

Marc Stein wrote about why Joel Embiid is seemingly on board with Philadelphia dragging out the Ben Simmons situation rather than exchanging him for immediate help:

Perhaps he has also been sold on a concept that executives with a growing number of rival teams say they see as Morey's new preferred scenario: Keeping Simmons beyond the trade deadline to exhaust every last possibility for executing a complicated sign-and-trade in the offseason that finally brings James Harden to Philadelphia and routes Simmons to Brooklyn.

Complicated is a polite description for such a deal, since the Sixers would be hard-capped by taking Harden in via sign-and-trade and would thus have to shed more salary than just Simmons' contract according to the league's luxury-tax rules to make it work financially. Yet it must be noted that there is enough noise circulating leaguewide about Harden's reported openness to relocation this summer—after he turned down a lucrative extension from the Nets in October—to give Morey the encouragement he needs to wait.

[slamtheking]

that would be an interesting swap indeed.  makes Philly so much better because Harden's a very good facilitator and instant offense whereas Simmons is top defender and facilitator.  I see it as a step backwards for Brooklyn.  No Harden or Kyrie makes Durant the primary focus of opposition defense (not that he isn't already) to an Nth degree. 

[Roy H.]

I don't see Harden going for it.

[hpantazo]

I don't see Brooklyn going for it either. They are built to win now with KD. This would hurt them in the immediate future.

[Ed Monix]

I don't see Harden going for it.

Yet it must be noted that there is enough noise circulating leaguewide about Harden's reported openness to relocation this summer—after he turned down a lucrative extension from the Nets in October—to give Morey the encouragement he needs to wait.

If Harden is 100% content in Brooklyn, I can’t see why he would turn down an extension, especially given his recent injury history.

[celticsclay]

76ers not noticing a guy often out of shape is playing worst basketball in years? It is probably the best they can get at this point though

[Who]

That would be fantastic!

I'd love to see Harden leave the Nets high and dry. I do not want Durant cake-walking his way to more Championships on that Big Three like he did in GSW next to Steph Curry. Screw the Nets!!

[Goldstar88]

That makes Brooklyn worse. Makes no sense.

[Moranis]

76ers not noticing a guy often out of shape is playing worst basketball in years? It is probably the best they can get at this point though

Harden's last 11 games.  27.2 ppg, 11.0 apg, 8.3 rpg, 50.9% from 2, 34.2% from 3, 86.1% from the line on 9.8 FTApg.  In other words, Harden is pretty much back in MVP form after a slow start to the year. 

[Ed Monix]

That makes Brooklyn worse. Makes no sense.

Stein alluded to the fact that Harden has already turned down a contract extension & has a player option this off-season.

Harden can leave as a free agent…regardless if Brooklyn like it or not.

[PAOBoston]

Got to give it to Morey. He’s still clinging to that Harden dream.

[Phantom255x]

Does Ben Simmons even exist?? 

[footey]

Philly would be favorites

[Moranis]

if they are going to do this, they probably need to dump Harris for an expiring contract at the deadline.  They need out of his contract to reasonably be able to set this up. 

[#1P4P]

I like the move for both teams because of the Simmons situation.

For Brooklyn, last I checked Ben Simmons is still 6’11, an elite playmaker, great vision and passing, and is an elite defender 1-4. He’d be relegated to the #3-4 on the Nets (assuming KD, Kyrie, and Patty remain).

For Philly, Harden is a great running mate for Embiid doing most of what Ben did with outside shooting.

I watched the final minutes of today’s Nets-Cavs game. In the final minute, Harden had Markannen 1 on 1 with no one behind him on the perimeter; not only did James not get around him, he had to pick up his dribble, and threw the errant pass/turnover to Kyrie to go down 5. He looks great at times, but is his lack of conditioning causing him to lose a step during crunch time?

Embiid and Harden is a great pairing with Doc for the regular season, but I know Doc teams and Harden teams and they show signs of the yips during the playoffs.