The Philadelphia 76ers will have their eyes on a big prize in the offseason of 2022 and that will be Brooklyn Nets star, James Harden.
The Beard can be a restricted free agent in the offseason and the Sixers are holding out on a Ben Simmons trade in order to acquire Harden in a sign-and-trade that would send Simmons to the Nets. Harden has a history with Sixers president Daryl Morey from their time with the Houston Rockets so this makes a ton of sense.
Per ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins–who was a teammate of Harden’s with the Oklahoma City Thunder–Harden is very interested in joining the Sixers as things have not gone the way he was hoping with the Nets.
Per Perkins:
James Harden’s camp, people can come say ‘that’s cap’, this ain’t cap. James Harden’s camp is delivering to Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers that he has serious, serious, serious interest in being in Philly next season.
One then may ask, why would Harden leave Brooklyn? Playing with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving should be very attractive for him. However, Irving’s refusal to get vaccinated which makes him a part-time player due to New York’s rules have played a part in Harden wanting out.
Perkins added:
Before the season, they were supposed to sign KD, Kyrie, and Harden to contract extensions before the season. KD signed his and then everything went left with Kyrie Irving because he didn’t want to get vaccinated. James Harden comes out and says ‘Oh, I’ve never tested free agency. I’ll wait.’ Oh, OK, now you’re gonna wait?
The Sixers will certainly hold out and wait and see on Harden, but if Philadelphia can get it done, they would be acquiring one of the more elite playmakers and scorers in this game and his fit next to Embiid would be near-perfect. Plus, Harden has been impressed by Tyrese Maxey so that could be something to look at as well as a possible factor.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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