James Harden isn’t going to wear a Sixers uniform this season. That’s what a Nets source told Jordan Schultz of Schultz Report (Twitter link). Brooklyn feels that dealing Harden at this point would damage its chances of winning a title, according to Schultz.
“James [Harden] isn’t going to Philly; I’ll tell you that with absolute certainty,” the unnamed source said. “They called and we didn’t listen. We want to win a championship and trading James does nothing but hurt that goal.”
We have more rumors from around the league:
- The Pacers have a good chance of trading Ricky Rubio‘s expiring contract, which they just acquired from Cleveland, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on NBA Today (video link). “The Pacers are probably going to be able to flip that Rubio contract and get back some more assets as they kind of reshape this roster,” Wojnarowski said.
- In the same segment, Woj said the Pistons could wait until the offseason before moving Jerami Grant. “They don’t have anything right now,” he said regarding a satisfactory trade offer.
- As some recent reports indicated, the Knicks and Pelicans are interested in CJ McCollum and have been “fairly aggressive” in pursuit of the Trail Blazers’ high-scoring guard. “McCollum has a lot of value around the league,” Wojnarowski said. “You know what you’re getting with him.”
- Add the Hawks to the list of potential suitors for McCollum, Chris Kirchner of The Athletic reports, citing sources. Atlanta is also interested in the Celtics’ Marcus Smart, Kirschner adds. Both of the guards are signed to hefty long-term contracts.
Heh. Will no one take Ben Simmons? Anyone? At this rate they’re gonna end up with a protected first and salary filler.
Nah he’ll just sit for 4 years if that’s case.
Yeah, BKN isn’t dealing Harden in-season. Common sense told most people this weeks ago. Now more reports. Yet, nothing will convince some, until the deadline comes and goes.
Doesn’t James Harden have the opportunity to walk this summer? I realize they have Championship aspirations this year so that’s why they’re not going to trade there big contributor at this point. Especially with Kyrie’s situation playing half the games.
Additionally, Harden walking this summer isn’t that big a deal anyway. Sign and trade and plug-in another super stud. Done deal no biggie.
True. I’m a Knick fan but I don’t want CJ. To me, he just puts us in the worst place you can be in the NBA. An eighth or seventh seed that doesn’t win playoff series. But yet too good to get lottery picks. It leaves you stuck in mediocrity for years and years. Until we get a star, that’s where we’re going to be stuck. But CJ on the Hawks would make them interesting. As an NBA fan, I’d love to see that. But if Portland trades CJ, then how on earth do you keep Lillard and not totally rebuild?
I think if you trade CJ, you have to trade Dame and start rebuild. No point in keeping a $30M+ 30 year old on a team not going anywhere.
We will know the answer to that question when we see what Portland gets back for CJ McCollum. That will tell us everything. Assets for the future or win now guys.
Im not sure how can work Trae+CJ better than Dame+CJ… that’s an awful fit. Hawks needs defense, they don’t need another undersized scoring guard.
Everyone knows they aren’t trading harden in season. Harden will be wearing a new uniform in the off season.
I don’t think it’s that they wouldn’t deal him in season,I think it’s more questionable that a chip chasing team deals for Simmons in season.He’ll basically be in training camp mode if he’s dealt,and for someone who’s already had questionable playoff performances,adding him at this point would be risky.In-season he makes more sense to a team looking for a reset,like Sacramento or Washington.
If I were mavs. I take on Rubio and give pacers tim hardaway jr and a 2nd. Reunite thj with carlise.
(Release Rubio if dragic gets bought out.)
Also if I were mavs I try to trade for CJ, or John collins.
Dallas can trade maxi and Powell for collins. Powell is just a lite version of collins and 11m cheaper. And without collins that opens up more shots for young, hunter, Gallo, Bogan etc. Maxi also can be cut after season (final year is non guaranteed) and that creates more money for hawks to extend Young, Kevin and hunter.
Dallas can then turn to Portland and save Portland 10ish million by giving them a trade exception for Larry nance
I would like to see Simmons go to somewhere unexpected. I think he’d be a good fit in a Draymond type role in Charlotte. Hayward, Bouknight, couple of firsts? Lamelo, Rozier, Oubre, Bridges, Simmons would be fun to watch.
Rubio for Bertans and a 1st or two 2nds?