With Daryl Morey poised to join the Sixers as their new president of basketball operations, there has been plenty of speculation within the last 24 hours about the possibility of Morey getting back in touch with the Rockets to inquire about the possibility about acquiring his longtime superstar James Harden.
While Tim MacMahon of ESPN (Twitter link) says he wouldn’t be surprised if Morey contacts the Rockets this offseason with a proposal involving Harden, he stresses that Houston’s answer will be a “firm no.” MacMahon reiterated this point during an appearance on Brian Windhorst’s Hoop Collective podcast, as RealGM relays.
“I’ve already been told – with a few expletives included – by somebody with the Rockets: ‘No, Daryl, James Harden for Ben Simmons is not happening. Don’t ask,'” MacMahon said.
Here’s more on the Rockets:
- When the Rockets launched their head coaching search, they weren’t necessarily looking for a specific type of coach — they were simply looking for “talent,” according to Kelly Iko and Tim Cato of The Athletic. That’s why the team’s list of rumored targets was made up of a wide variety of candidates, including multiple former head coaches and several – like Stephen Silas – who would be first-timers. Ultimately, the club was won over by Silas’ meticulousness, his thoughtful and detailed answers, and the way he carried himself, per Iko and Cato.
- Former NBA guard Rafer Alston is seriously interested in coaching at the NBA level and is specifically hoping to join the Rockets’ staff, he tells Iko (Twitter link).
- Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle is losing one of his top assistants in Silas, but he lauded the Rockets for making a “great hire,” as MacMahon tweets. “Stephen did a great job for us here in Dallas helping us get back to the playoffs,” Carlisle said. “(I’m) thrilled for him and his family.”
- In case you missed it within our story on Silas’ hiring from Wednesday, the Rockets have reportedly talked to Jeff Hornacek and Nate McMillan about the possibility of joining their coaching staff as assistants.
Skip-to-my-Lou
Trading Simmons for Harden makes ZERO sense.
Everyone wants to see Westbrook and Simmons on the same team and miss 50 outside shots in a row
49 by Harden, 1 by Simmons?
Check that…Westbrook.
Horford and 4 Firsts for Harden
Make more sense
Such a Doc move.
What is your financial report? I read Silas was a lot cheaper… JVG would not come down in asking rate, that was the delay. Lucas was in there for politics and just to keep the staff happy.
You build around a system like the Bucks from the 80’s with Simmons posting up inside and passing out of the paint like Sidney Moncrief.
Embiid and Richardson (or Milton) for Harden?
Horford himself costs $95 million next season
27 + 68 = 95
HWMVP would cry for losing his hero, while Sixers fans would cry because, well, Harden guarantees continued playoff futility.
He’s already commenting less. I predict after a Embid/Harden Trade he will disappear. Then weeks before season starts we will see post from life long 6ers fan “Harden Simmons University” lol
Dodger world series victory ended his life
Ahahaha