The Sixers are among the teams expected to show interest in and pursue a trade for former MVP James Harden this offseason, reports Shams Charania of Stadium (video link). However, according to Charania, any teams inquiring on Harden can expect to receive “an emphatic no” from the Rockets. The idea of a trading the superstar guard is a non-starter for Houston at this point, Charania adds.
While Charania’s report does confirm that the Sixers and other clubs will show interest in Harden, most of this information isn’t new. Last week, after word broke that longtime Rockets GM Daryl Morey would be hired as the 76ers’ president of basketball operations, there was speculation about a potential Philadelphia pursuit of Harden. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said that Houston’s answer would be a “firm no.”
The Rockets are undergoing major changes this offseason, with Morey and head coach Mike D’Antoni both departing, having been replaced by new GM Rafael Stone and new coach Stephen Silas. It makes sense that teams across the league would poke around to see if Houston wants to make some major roster changes as well, but it doesn’t appear that’s in the cards for this fall.
Stone was a longtime Morey lieutenant in the Rockets’ front office, so this isn’t a case of an outside executive coming in and wanting to reshape a roster based on his philosophies — Stone’s vision likely isn’t too dissimilar to Morey’s.
Additionally, team owner Tilman Fertitta has stated that the Rockets have no plans to “blow up” their roster anytime soon. The plan instead is to try to make upgrades around the current core in the hopes of contending again in 2021.
If the Rockets take a step backward next season, the idea of trading Harden could become more palatable, and the Sixers – who have a pair of All-Stars in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons – would be an intriguing potential trade partner. But it seems unlikely that there will be any action on that front within the next few weeks.
More like “hell no”. There’s zero chance of Harden being traded.
Yeah Houston isn’t known for making smart choices. See: Trading Paul.
But you could also say
See: James Harden
So rather then listen and see if there is something that could make them better they give a hard no before listening. And that, in a nutshell, is why their franchise is rudderless and wont be winning anything for the foreseeable future
Yeah, why not listen? You’re not winning anything with Harden as your best player, so it’s worth seeing his value.
The problem is not necessarily Harden. I could see a Harden-led team possibly winning a title. But the problem is the supporting cast and the system as a whole. The whole experimental small ball system will not win a title outside of maybe high school. Size has ALWAYS ruled the NBA, with only a few exceptions. Even when Jordan was on top, Ewing, Olajuwon, and Robinson were always close behind. The Lakers don’t win this year without Davis. Size still matters regardless of what advanced stats say.
Nah, Harden isn’t winning a title unless he goes to Golden State and plays second fiddle to Steph.
He wants to lose in the playoffs every year, keep trading picks and dig the Rockets into a massive long term rebuild. Fine by me
I agree with you MVP@ that James Harden is an incredible player. But wow if you could get 5 for 1 now I would absolutely do it. Just as the other guys here are saying, now is a great time to cash in on an incredible player. The restart in Houston would get an amazing jump start to the Future with a couple nice draft picks and young players and maybe one expiring contract to match the salary.
It would be tough to lose Harden but waiting two years diminishes the return substantially. It would be tough but you have to do it now.
Rockets have like 4 draft picks for the next 6 years lol. Harden should want to be traded.
The rockets are OKC post Durant leaving. They’re good enough to make the playoffs with 2 stars they got, but they’re never gonna do much in the playoffs and at BEST lose the conf finals.
They impending tank that OKC is just now starting is coming for Houston. Problem is, OKC has the glut of picks to make the rebuild better and quicker. Houston keeping 2 aging assets past their primes (one already is, the other is approaching it quickly.) won’t net them much if anything.
I’ve said all along I’m okay running it back, but not without a solid center. Dwight Howard could be beneficial. If they could snag him or someone similar that’s fairly cheap but offers a lot of bang for their buck, I could see them competing for the finals. If they aren’t going to sign a big man, then they need to trade for one, and the only way that’s happening is if they trade Westbrook or Harden. I don’t see the Rockets winning a championship with the current roster as is.
You honestly think Dwight Howard is the only missing piece of the puzzle? That is the funniest thing I’ve heard all day, thank you.
Never said he is the only missing piece, I said I think he gives them a chance. You never know what is going to happen in the NBA, or really any professional sport.
Howard to Golden State however, absolutely will play a big part in their next title next season.
Harden’s a great individual player but not a guy to build a team around. No way would I want him in Philly if it means giving up either Embiid/Simmons.
Houston will never win with James Harden.
Agreed I wouldn’t give up Ben or Jo either. However if they were to consider Al or Tobias throw in Richardson the #21 OKC pick 2022-24 picks top 3-5 protected i would certainly be interested lol.
Houston has been one of the winningest franchises of the past decade. Their biggest problem was that their peak coincided with an all time great team in Golden State. Take GS out of the equation and Houston would have probably won at least one title last decade, if not more.
Most neutered comment of the year.
Massive, massive L.
What were you thinking??
I was thinking I could irritate you by making the comment. Isn’t it obvious that my world just revolves around your opinion of me?
Absolutely 100% correct. Everyone knows the Rockets blew their 3-2 lead over the Warriors only because Chris Paul got hurt. They were the 2nd best team in the NBA from 2015-2019, and would have easily won at least one title (probably 2 or 3) if not for Golden State.
I’d ask 76ers to overpay if they really want Harden
Harden for Simmons and 4 Firsts
76ers add Scott and salary
That’s the right way to look at it Sillivan. Everyone is available.., for the right price. I’m not sure you could get Ben Simmons + 4 first but I think you’re right, you have to listen at least.
You could probably get Simmons and 4 picks, but not 4 firsts. The first this year and a first in 2022 and then maybe 2 second rounders this year as well.
Doubt it
reporters want Simmons and Westbrook In the same team so that they can miss 50 field goals in a row
How so when Simmons has one of the NBA’s best FG%?
I think if possible rockets should attach westbrick to the deal. If sixers want harden bad enough you gotta take russell too. Something like simmons and harris for harden and westbrook. Houston clears cap gets young piece to build around and a stretch 4/5 in harris
That would be straight up IMPOSSIBLE. You have to take back 80+ million dollars in salary. For most teams that’s what, 8 guys?
Rockets should only trade Harden for overhaul or a better player. They don’t need injury prone Embiid or One dimensional Simmons.
Maybe trade Harden for Klay + 2nd pick
Your first sentence is correct. Your 3rd sentence is no way, no how, at any time, ever. Warriors would never trade Klay Thompson. He’s the number one reason Steph Curry is so good. Seriously.
Not sure about Klay after that torn ACL. Harden is a better scorer and can fit in with GSW.
I hate this deal and I like this deal. It probably gets done.
If that offer came along, GS would be hard pressed to turn it down. Especially since they don’t know how the injury to Klay will affect him long term. I don’t know if I would ultimately do it, but I don’t think I would immediately turn it down either.
With Klay gone Steph Curry is not as a good as he has been previously. Klay makes up for some of Steph’s defensive shortcomings. Klay is the spot up shooter that prevents Steph double-teams.
My only problem is with the verb tense there. You say he “makes” Curry better, as of right now it is not definite that the tense shouldn’t be that he “made” Curry better. I agree there is no way I make the deal with a healthy pre-injury Thompson, but with the injury you can’t really be sure that he is going to be the same defensive stalwart he was before. The question then comes down to trusting him to be the same player now vs. taking the much better offensive player. Like I said, not a guaranteed yes from me, but not a guaranteed no either.
Plus, if I am Houston, I don’t know if I would take that deal either. Thompson is great in the GS system, but could he be counted on as the lead guy (or co-lead guy depending on Russ) with the Rockets. If I am Houston trading Harden, I would want a much younger player than Klay to build my next team around.
GSW turns it down. Harden and Curry would not be good defense. Wiggins is OK defensively and Green is good but you can’t win with no defense. Klay is a great defensive player is why GSW need him more than Harden.
Trade Harden now….. If you want a guy to lead you to 50 wins Harden is your guy
If you want to win a title he’s not your .
Hes not a prime time player as the playoffs show it
If the 76ers offer Embiid and Simmons take it….
Did you mean to say “or?” Embiid “or” Simmons?
Spot on.
Rockets Expected To Rebuff Sixers’ Interest In Harden
Well if the Sixers offer GOAT and #1 Overall pick in Ben Simmons, how is that an offer the Rockets can refuse?
Honestly though even if the Sixers got him through trade, it would be pure Bull Schiff!!
The process was supposed to build through the draft and the Sixers didn’t really build this team through the draft like they should have
SMH
Might as well just admit Morey owes everything he has to Harden. Morey is absolutely nothing without that one move. RIP 76ers
I mean… If the media wants to focus on Harden. They can snag Buddy Hield or LaVine instead.
If the Sixers got both, I could go for that
Buddy does not interest me, + if he and Joerger had a falling out in Sac. he may not want to come to Philly either. Zach to me would be a great fit if Josh (and not to many) assets could bring him here.
Nobody wants Harden. Just cause Morey is there it makes good reading. All hype no substance. Rockets should be smart an offer Westbrook. Rockets have no picks this yr or in future. They could work out a fair deal with Harris. Or even Horford with a third team. MVPs is failed experiment. It’s best to move now while Harden is still young. And Westbrook still has value. They can retool around Harden. They are both ball dominant guards at their best. Fact is CP3 was a better mix. But Harden didn’t want to share the ball. Sixers should be looking at Westbrook not Harden. Move Ben to forward and they got a finals team
Harden, Embiid, and Simmons…together? 76ers would be absolutely unstoppable. No way that group doesn’t win. Sixers should trade all the picks they have (they are done rebuilding, if you ask me…). Houston should make them pay through the nose with both nostrils. Houston you have a problem…rebuild your team. And just forget about Westbrook in a year or two the contract will be done, he’ll fizzle out, and everyone will be talking of someone new. This is a major DUH!
If the Sixers could trade both Embiid and Simmons for Harden at least then it would be close to a fair trade. But the salaries don’t match.
Embiid, Simmons, 4 1sts, 4 2nds, 3 1st pick swaps and 3 2nd pick swaps. That’s probably not enough value for Westbrook let alone Harden…
You gotta be kidding? Westbrook is a horrible contract and merely a stat padded faux superstar. I wouldn’t give up jo or Ben for harden (some may?) but both is laughable even without attaching picks to the deal lol
PHI should send Harris, Horford, 2 1st round picks (top 15 protected) & 4 2nd round picks to HOU for Harden & RoCo!!!
Who says no?
PHI becomes the top dog in the East & HOU have a nice team with Russ, Harris & Horford plus a lot of picks to get another guy or start a rebuild!
I would make that move, just think Houston could get better return (Harris/Horford strap them financially for 4 years) from other teams…and that’s if they want to unload Harden which I doubt.
There’s a really obvious trade here:
– Houston sends Harden to Philly
– Philly sends Simmons to Golden State, and then 2 firsts, Thybulle, and Richardson to Houston
– Golden State sends Wiggins, the #2 pick, a first, and a nice young player to Houston (Paschall?)
Houston nets 4 firsts (including the #2 pick in this draft), two nice young players, a good wing they can flip for another asset later (Richardson), and a meh contract that might not be so bad with a change of scenery. It’s NOT amazing, but it’s about as good as Houston can hope to get in a Harden trade.
Golden State gets even more dangerous, as does Philly. Both teams sacrifice the future for today, but that’s what good teams do. Houston says no unless Harden tells them he wants out.
But why wouldn’t Harden want out? He lost his coach, his GM, and his team has been cutting costs since Fertitta took over. And Harden’s path to the finals in the East doesn’t have Curry or LeBron…seems like a no brainer.
Philly would say no lol…pretty quickly I would think and hope