The possibility of the Sixers using Ben Simmons as a trade chip to try to acquire Nets star James Harden via sign-and-trade was rumored back in the fall, but the idea has gained more steam as of late, with multiple reporters suggesting this week that such a scenario appears increasingly viable.
With so many recent reports connecting Harden to the 76ers – who are seemingly becoming more and more comfortable with the idea of hanging onto Simmons until the offseason – there are growing suspicions around the NBA about what Philadelphia’s ownership and management groups might know about Harden’s intentions — and how they gathered that information.
In the most recent episode of his Posted Up podcast, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports laid out those concerns and explained what they might mean (hat tip to NBC Sports).
“Michael Rubin – for those who don’t know, the Sixers’ co-owner – (is) very, very, very good friends with James Harden,” Haynes said. “And I’ve talked to a rival owner, talking to rival front-office executives who believe that there could be something, some talks going on now between both sides.
“And this is what I was told: Some front-office executives are prepared to – when the time comes, if a deal does look like it’s about to transpire where there could be some potential sign-and-trade in the offseason – they’re prepared to get the league involved on a potential collusion case, dating back to what they believe could be going on right now, as to why we’re probably hearing a lot of Philadelphia-James Harden talk.
“So, that’s something to keep an eye on. If it does get to the point where it looks like James Harden will be headed to Philly, I was told there will be complaints issued to the league on trying to investigate, to see if there was any collusion, any talks of recruitment going on right now, which is illegal and against the CBA.”
It’s not unusual for a team to recruit a star player months before he reaches free agency. Before Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City for Golden State, for example, there were whispers about the possibility throughout the preceding season.
However, those recruiting efforts were led by the Warriors’ stars rather than team management, and the NBA has never seemed interested in pursuing tampering changes against players. In this case, it’s Harden’s relationships with Rubin and Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey that have helped fuel leaguewide speculation.
Additionally, the league has made an effort to crack down on tampering in recent years, increasing and expanding the penalties that can be imposed on teams found to be guilty of violating the NBA’s rules. The league is much more likely to take a closer look at a potential case of tampering in 2022 than it would have been five or six years ago.
So far, there has been no indication that the Sixers have been in contact with Harden. But Haynes’ report suggests the franchise will face plenty of scrutiny if its oft-rumored pursuit of the former MVP is ultimately successful.
How much of this is rival executives trying to mess with the Sixers preemptively?
Lol. Everyone knows tampering is nothing new in the nba.
new Brooklyn excuse for underperforming?
The league is an absolute joke.
By what Metric?
As a baseball fan, i can tell you that the nba is not a joke of a league right now
Wiggins being named an all star starter and the sixers being accused of tampering does not make the nba a joke
The Wiggins thing is a hilarious talking point when coming after the league being as the NBA had nothing to do with the FAN vote. It’s like when D Rose got an MVP vote last year and twitter was set ablaze not understanding that his lone vote came from the fan vote. “We are horrible fans! I hate the NBA!”
Go ahead and send your “strongly worded letter,” owners. I am sure that will preempt this underhanded behavior LOL.
LOL Sixers going to mess up again.
I could not of wrote this any better if I was a screenwriter. Now, they give Simmons exactly what he wants as well, being on the Nets with KD.
Meanwhile Joel Embiid is owning fools this year and Morey could care less.
shoudlnt matter what Simmons wants. if he gets what he wants but you get what you want than that’s a win. if he doesn’t but you do that’s just as much a win.
Otherwise shouldn’t matter what PHI wants, as no one care about them… at least the majority of hoops fans know that Ben is in the right & care about him!
The only win in this situation is about Ben getting what he wants, whatever PHI gets it will always be a big fat L… as they shown themselves to be the pettiest franchise in any sport!
lol no
Quick poll: who here agrees with El Don, and thinks ben is in the right? I really didnt think anyone did, but he just declared that a majority of fans do
So now you know… if you are open to it you can learn something new every day my friend, keep at it you will get there one day!
Does the NBA really want to open this bag up?
Sure in a Uptonian world go for it;but how the hell will this be regulated efficiently moving forward? Special task force…do they get Navy windbreakers and a pair of Ray Bans with courtside tickets and wire tapping abilities?
And are we just suppose to forget about all the obv acts of yesteryear that were so conveniently looked away from when they went down cough cough Anthony Davis and a slew of others
but they do. they “open the bag” just a tiny bit every time and then manage to close it again. owners dont seem to concerned to keep it open.
Yeah I don’t see how
A) Kevin Durant talking to James Harden in the off-season and convincing him to force a trade to Brooklyn
Is perfectly fine, but
B) Philly’s owner, also a friend of James Harden, talking to him about coming to Philly *when he’s a free agent*
Is tampering?
And Kawhi did the same with PG. LeBron with AD.
The stars of the NBA are routinely convincing others players to force their way out of smaller cities to form super teams in LA and NYC and that’s fine, but Philly talking to Beard about what he might do as a free agent in 6 months is a no go?
Can’t blame the beard for wanting to play with the best in jojo, but tampering? The kings are more guilty of tampering with Big Ben Simmons for their insult of a offer to the Sixers for his services.
Moreyon will go down with Harden. He is not a good fit with Embiid. It also means they will probably move Tobias. Which means they will take a hit there. If I’m Nets I’ll gladly take Simmons and Maxey plus a #1 pick. Simmons is a great fit with KD. Be careful what you wish for…….
Nets should move Kyrie now. This way they can go for title this yr. Then what will Hardens excuse be. This what happens when you bring in space cadets to your team.
They’d have to move Tobias for tax purposes, but it would be dumb. Maxey, Harden, Thybulle, Harris, Embiid is the roster you win with. You remove Tobias you aren’t replacing him with anyone close to his level. If he improves his shooting by pressing less Sixers would be fine.
I actually think Tobias will be fine when he can return to his proper role as 3rd option.
But not moving Tobias guarantees the only way Harden gets to Philly is a sign and trade. That might be a hard sell to get Brooklyn to play ball on that.
Would need to involve a 3rd or 4th team most likely. Thunder or someone willing to take the contract and picks.
More Sixers slander from a pathetic Knicks fan, don’t hate us cuz you ain’t us
#FreeBenSimmons
Sixers/Harden Chatter Raises Tampering Suspicions
Dump Simmons for free!!!
If I’m Brooklyn — leaving aside the fact I don’t want to help Philly become a better contender in my conference — the last thing I want is Ben Simmons playing next to Durant.
The Durant era in Brooklyn has had enough bad luck in its first 3 years. If you get Simmons and it turns out he’s just a broken dude (seems like a real possibility) then the only left to do is trade Durant and start all over.
A team that might be desperate enough to take that gamble by summertime, however, is Boston.
I could see an inevitable three team deal here:
BOS- Simmons + role player(s) & picks
BK- Brown + matching salary
Philly- Harden
Has to be tough for Nets ownership who was willing to sink a half billion + into the trio
Luckily there’s not much open cap avail next offseason , especially on good teams, so Brk can actually come out the other side of S&T’s with pretty sunny skies being the power brokers of the NBA come late summer if they have to .
Jaylen Brown and John Collins would top my list. With a little Kyrie luck (signs ext for new team ) and some 3rd party teams involved there’s a world where maybe they could get both if the Collins/ATL relationship sours even more. It will diffficult but you’d just need 1 big Kyrie believer left to spin the wheels
One thing here is clear ……… all of Ben Simmons’ mental health issues will miraculously disappear once he gets traded to a new team.
Why would harden come back to the same GM he decided wasn’t good enough in Houston?
Lebron
It’s the attempt to trade Harris that raises the suspicion of tampering. PHI can’t compel BKN to do a S&T, regardless, but even having the right to do one is difficult to envision with Harris on the roster.
What modern NBA FO pursues the high risk strategy of weakening a playoff team for this year (a lock since they’re not getting an equivalent player for Harris and off his contract), in the hope that a rising FA will sign with them in the offseason? Now if it’s more than a hope, then it’s something to consider, particularly if they can offset the loss with an upgrade through a Simmons’ trade.
Ok I can’t lie here, why the F would the Nets want Ben Simmons for James Harden? U less Philly is giving up at least a first rounder, perhaps 2, if I’m Brooklyn it’s a non starter
A lot of 76ers haters are mad that Harden is gonna be a 76er… Championship favorites here we come