The Philadelphia 76ers are entering a new era in their franchise’s history after bringing in Doc Rivers to be their new head coach and they have just recently hired Daryl Morey to run their basketball operations. Moves such as those bring hope that change will be coming on the floor.
One move that has been talked about and debated recently is whether or not the Sixers should make a move for Houston Rockets star James Harden. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith mentioned it on First Take that Morey should do whatever it takes to get Harden to Philadelphia.
Smith even mentioned that he would give up 24-year old star Ben Simmons in order to acquire Harden. However, ESPN’s Tim McMahon hopped on The Hoop Collective podcast with Brian Windhorst and McMahon said this about Houston’s interest in that type of deal:
I’ve already been told with a few expletives included by somebody with the Rockets: ‘No, Daryl, James Harden for Ben Simmons is not happening. Don’t ask.’
It is understandable on Houstons’s side of it. They are undergoing a big change with Morey leaving and they are entering a bit of a crossroads as they have not been able to win the championship they are expecting to win with a talent such as Harden.
However, to just give up on the 2018 MVP now could be rushed. He is 31-years old and he is one of the elite scorers in the league. A new coach in Stephen Silas could be just what the Rockets need for them to take the next step in the Western Conference.
As for Philadelphia, the duo of Simmons and Joel Embiid can win in this league. They just need to have the right pieces surrounding them and that means going out and finding some shooters to space the floor. Morey has always been a guy who is not afraid to take chances and make bold moves so this should be a challenge he embraces moving forward. [lawrence-related id=38717,38714,38703]