It remains difficult to get a read on the odds that the Sixers and Nets will complete a James Harden/Ben Simmons blockbuster before Thursday afternoon’s trade deadline.
As we detailed earlier today, a pair of ESPN reporters painted vastly different pictures of the likelihood of a deal getting done, with Brian Windhorst suggesting he believes a trade is more likely than not, while Adrian Wojnarowski expressed serious skepticism.
Since then, a series of new reports have surfaced, so let’s dive in and round up all the latest rumors on the Harden/Simmons front…
- Sources tell Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer that Harden wants to be traded to the Sixers, which echoes a claim Windhorst made during an ESPN appearance earlier in the day. Referring to the possibility of Harden being sent to Philadelphia, Windhorst said, “I can’t tell you how much James Harden wants this.”
- Matisse Thybulle‘s name has come up in trade discussions between the Nets and Sixers, according to Pompey. One source tells The Philadelphia Inquirer that Seth Curry and a first-round pick have been mentioned along with Thybulle as part of a possible package for Harden, though Pompey says a person close to the Sixers disputed that.
- According to Jordan Schultz (Twitter link), the Nets have pushed for both Thybulle and Tyrese Maxey, but a league source tells Pompey the 76ers are reluctant to part with either player. Previous reports have stated that Maxey is essentially off the table this week from Philadelphia’s perspective.
- Ian Begley of SNY.tv says the Sixers have been considering a package for Harden that includes Thybulle and “sizable draft compensation” in addition to Simmons.
- One of Pompey’s sources said that, as of Wednesday afternoon, a deal “isn’t as close to being finalized as people think.”
- Pompey suggests the Sixers seem to have a Harden-or-bust mindset heading into Thursday’s deadline, which means that if Simmons doesn’t get moved in a Harden deal, he’s probably staying in Philadelphia through the deadline.
Im 100% sure that this trade either will or will not happen tomorrow by 3 p.m.
That’s a bold claim
Ms. Cleo would be jealous of your foresight.
@CF78
I loved Ms Cleo
The best line by her arresting officer
If she was truly clairvoyant, she would have known they were coming!!!
May she rest in peace!
It’s a bold strategy cotton, let’s see if it pays off for him.
An asteroid can hit Earth.
Bold claim Cotton!
Why would anyone want a guy that can’t shoot for chit and is a cancer in the locker room? Screw Simmons!!
If you watch him play basketball it should be pretty easy to figure out why every team in this league as well as every team in every other league in the world would want Ben Simmons on their team
Why would anyone want a guy that’s 20 lbs overweight, plays no defense whatsoever, makes $45m, and has dogged his way out of his last two cities for selfish reasons? Screw Harden!
I thought you were talking about the Harden that shows up in April, May and, on occasion, June.
Hardens not much better.. he has been getting worse and has effort now has been questioned in Houston and now Brooklyn.. going to be 33 and is expected to average 50 mill a year on a 5 year deal.. I’d run fast and swift from that nightmare.. would rather take a chance in Simmons Contract.. atleast he has youth on his side and want to show Philadelphia he deserved better
He’s an impact player without the ball. That carriers some weight.
And became a total liability with the ball
Not happening without Maxey……
Unless it’s multiple picks. Like article says.
Ok Captain NY
That’s Sir Captain ……. to you
We’ll see if Brooklyn agrees with you. Their opinion is the one that matters here.
Sizers and Morey making noise to get Embiid his running partner
Embiid should be demanding they make a move even though personally I think a move for Harden they will regret bug time in a year or 2
if I have to root against Harden I’ll be sad
Look Steve (Sean)… you can either take Ben Simmons and Furkan and go through us to the Finals or keep a disgruntled James lose to us anyway and lose him in the offseason when I clear enough cap space to sign him outright with no S&T.
Your choice bro.
-The Eel
Sidebar… many 3 or 4 team deals work and make sense if they dont exactly want Ben Ben without including Thybulle, Picks, or Maxey.
Mavs centered around KP and Brunson
Wolves and Pacers centered around Turner and Buddy
Portland for Nurkic, Bledsoe, and Hart
Houston for Gordon and Wood
As a Rockets fan I really hope it’s door number 2.
Honestly, Ben would be great to build around in Houston. And they fumbled the Harden deal they got squat for an MVP. What did spite get Houston? 4 late 20s 1sts and zero talent. You have to be lucky to draft an elite player that late in the draft or willing to use them to acquire talent.
Ben + 4 above average 3pt shooters would work well.
I think it’s the classic ceiling vs floor choice. Neither offer guaranteed us elite talent but if you’re being honest only one offer had the upside of finding one. I’m glad we risked 4 late 20s picks for the upside of a top pick. At least one or two should be top 5 at this rate.
Multiple sources have said Harden wants to play for Philly. Is there any mention anywhere as to whether or not Simmons’ problems will magically disappear if traded to the Nets? I haven’t seen anything in regards to that.
He’s actually been reported (not a direct quote) saying he does NOT want to play in Brooklyn. Of course, that probably means nothing if a trade actually happens.
Thank you! This is the first I’ve seen it mentioned. Absolutely a great question. Why in the world will Simmons all of a sudden be content to play in Brooklyn?
Because they already have one star that only plays halfass, and they don’t boo him…Simmons should be golden only playing defense and passing without getting boo’d!!
He will.. the mental aspect is a farce and everyone knows it.. NBA is only league they pay 40 and 50 mill a year not to play or sign knowing the first year he will be out injured.. it blows my mind as Wall sits at home instead of playing a roll making guru money.. if I owned the team he would play a reserve or backup roll if that’s what they want or not get paid.. the player has no leverage.. no one else wants them because of their incredibly bloated salaries they can’t earn anymore
My guess is that the Nets would like to pounce on this deal like a pitbull on a poodle, and will squeeze the Sixers for the maximum exchange and then agree to a deal close to the deadline. Yeah, Harden might be able to team up with Durant and Irving for a title. But the other factor is Harden’s close to fifty mill player option for next year, along with what will be his whining for a humongous extension. This for an obviously declining player. Philly must be desperate to make this deal, figuring come what may, Harden can help them THIS year to contend for a title.
Kylie is gone after this year too.. no one wants to sign him .. especially until he can play a full schedule somewhere again and I still wouldn’t trust gucibg him a huge contract.. it’s a mistake waiting to happen as so many times he’s proven in the past.. nothing about his skills as a basketball player.. that’s the sad part
Curry was unguardable in the Hawks series last year. No way I’d trade him if I was Philly for a ball dominant turnover machine.
If I’m Philly, Maxey is a heck no, and they really need Curry for his shooting..
The best I’m offering Brooklyn is Simmons, Thybulle, and a pick…Take it, and keep your disgruntled player or leave it…
Lol isn’t Simmons the disgruntled player in this deal?
Yea but they can deal him elsewhere, free up cap space in the offseason and just sign James. They could go the role player route still with mostly expiring contracts and still contend.
I wouldn’t trade Maxey in that deal.. no way no how unless u get Nets first round to go with it and 2 2nds as well
At this point Nets need to just figure out if the return is worth a half season of Harden, because it sounds like an impending sign and trade this summer is gonna be forced either way.
Maxey is definitely not worth that hit, but thybulle, and some draft comps with Simmons is worth the playoff push.
Also screw morey and his 5% belief, I don’t think you ruin future roster flexibility for Simmons.
Isn’t Harden a rental? Not sure why people expect the same compensation Brooklyn paid to get Harden.
Harden has an option for $47,366,760 next year. He’s going to lock that in or better for next year by staying or through a sign and trade. If the Nets had a 3-year, $161M deal on the table for him, he could learn to love Brooklyn because I highly doubt any other contending teams have the cap space to do it without major mathematical gymnastics.
Windhorst just like Stephen A have terrible sources when it comes to things like this haha, If It came from Woj the. It’s the true
Same as Kevin Smith saying this Trade holding up from other deals from happening but no other Team trying to get Harden but Simmons maybe.
Heat and Bucks fans just sit on their foldable chair eating popcorn and a drinking a beverage as they watch this show play itself out.
Bold claim Cotton!
Here is the issue, both teams would be getting what they need in the exchange, 76ers need a primary scorer at the 2 or 3 in their lineup, BRK needs a defensive star who is a facilitator rather than a score 1st mentality. Both are perfect fits for the opposite team. 1 is 7 years older and much more expensive over the next 3 years. Neither wants to give the other team the weapon who can knock them out of the playoffs. As is, I think PHI is in better position from a dealing point. Harden will walk at the end of the year and BRK won’t win it all with awful D and 3 ball dominant stars. 76ers need to make $ match though- so Simmons and Danny Green or Seth Curry, and a ’22 1st, for Harden and a BRK 1st in ’28 seems fair to me. Maxey and Thybulle are ridiculous to be added when Harden can sign w/PHI in off-season if PHI can free up $, which I’m sure someone would take Simkons or Tobias and picks for a 3M player from a team with space
#FreeBenSimmons