The NBA is set to begin preseason around the league beginning on Friday where the Houston Rockets will be set to take on the Chicago Bulls. The only thing is, the Rockets will be without star James Harden as his saga continues with the franchise.
Harden has been looking to get out of Houston after a major change within their organization and he has recently listed the Philadelphia 76ers on his trade destination list. The Sixers have continued to refuse to include stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid in any deal for Harden, but things could change at some point.
According to the New York Times’ Marc Stein, the Sixers remain the most likely destination in any Harden deal.
The Rockets insist (for now) they will not trade Harden. The Sixers insist (for now) they will not trade Ben Simmons
But sources say the familiarity between the front offices can ultimately defuse any lingering tension from Daryl Morey's departure from Houston to Philadelphia
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 11, 2020
Some would argue that the Sixers should definitely trade Simmons for Harden as the latter is a former league MVP and he is a much more explosive offensive player. On the flip side, Simmons is only 24 and he still has a lot of growing to do despite being one of the league’s better players already. It is tough to see Daryl Morey want to break up the duo without giving them a chance to succeed under Doc Rivers, first. [lawrence-related id=40098,40095,40092]