At this point, everybody knows about the James Harden situation with the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers are hoping to acquire Harden in the 2022 offseason, and, with the talks heating up, some are beginning to put together some mock trades.
The centerpiece of any deal for Harden will, of course, be Ben Simmons who has not played for Philadelphia in the 2021-22 season. The Sixers still hope he will return, but it doesn’t look very promising.
A new mock trade from Bleacher Report has the Sixers acquiring Harden from the Nets before the Feb. 10 trade deadline in a 3-team deal that also involves the Boston Celtics.
The deal is:
- Sixers receive: Harden
- Nets receive: Jaylen Brown, Dennis Schroder, Josh Richardson
- Celtics receive: Simmons, Seth Curry, 2022 first-round pick (unprotected via Philadelphia 76ers), 2024 first-round pick (lottery-protected via Philadelphia 76ers)
B/R on why the Sixers would do this deal:
After not signing an extension last summer, Harden officially put his future in Brooklyn in doubt. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reports the star guard, “has recently informed several confidants — including former teammates and coaches — of his interest in exploring other opportunities outside of Brooklyn this summer.”
A straight swap of Simmons and Harden doesn’t work financially (nor should it be enough for the Nets), meaning a third team may need to be involved.
Philly reunites Harden with Daryl Morey, giving the Sixers a core of Embiid, Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle, Danny Green, Shake Milton and Andre Drummond that could very well be the best team in the East.
The Sixers will be acquiring the best player in this deal in the form of Harden. There isn’t a lot that The Beard can’t do out on the floor, but to give up Curry as well would be tough considering his shooting. On the flip side, a Harden and Tyrese Maxey backcourt would be intriguing considering both Maxey’s development and Harden’s praise for the young guard earlier in the season.
The Sixers still have a lot of time to decide what to do in this situation, but all eyes will be on president Daryl Morey as well as Harden in Brooklyn to see what’s going on and whether this will become a reality.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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