The Rockets reportedly want Ben Simmons, but the 76ers would be smart not to trade him

I know, it’s James Harden. But hear me out.

As soon as the 76ers were mentioned as one of the preferred trade destinations for James Harden, they were always going to be in the lead to get him.

Most people assumed that either Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons would have to be in the deal. And if either one of those two All-Stars were in the deal, then it would be done.

Most people were apparently right. According to new reporting from the New York Times’ Marc Stein, the Sixers are indeed in the lead to land James Harden as the NBA season begins if the Rockets decide they want to trade him.

It’s only a matter of if the Rockets are ready to move on from Harden and whether the Sixers would be willing to part ways with Simmons to do it. The Sixers are saying they also won’t trade Simmons. If that changes? The deal is all but done.

But it shouldn’t. The Sixers are absolutely right to hold on to Simmons and they should do so for as long as possible.

Here’s why.

The Sixers’ window is wide open right now

Alright, alright. I know you’re reading me for all kinds of filth right now. But just hear me out.

Ben Simmons is only 24 years old. Joel Embiid is 26. They’re both All-NBA caliber players — Embiid has made it twice and Simmons just made it for the first time last season. But there’s so much potential there left to fill for the both of them and they’re not even close to their athletic peaks just yet.

Yes, there are absolutely fit questions here between the two of them and they’ll always be there. But they’ve got plenty of time to figure those things out.

James Harden tightens that window

Look, James Harden is James Harden. If you can trade for him, you absolutely should. He’s one of the three or four best scorers we’ve ever seen in the NBA — period.

But he’s also 31 years old. He’s entering the tail end of his prime and will probably be at this level for three or four more seasons. That gives the 76ers a two to three year window to actually win a championship

We’ve seen this work before. The Raptors traded DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard and won a title because of it. Ultimately, he left, but the ultimate goal was accomplished.

But this is different. DeRozan was older and passed his peak. The Raptors’ core was aging. Like Leonard, Harden would easily be the best player on the 76ers. But that might not be the case in three or four years when Simmons gets better and Harden gets older.

The Sixers need to see what they have first

There’s no timetable on this thing and no offer that Philadelphia can’t beat. It’s clear that the Rockets have their hopes set on acquiring Simmons, so why not make them wait it out?

This is the first year in a long time that the Sixers have finally added actual shooters around Simmons and Embiid.  Out with Josh Richardson and Al Horford. In with Seth Curry and Danny Green. That’s more space, specifically, for Simmons to work with.

The last time we saw him on a roster with shooting like this? Here’s what happened.

Maybe he’s that good again! Maybe he’s not. But the Sixers owe it to themselves, at the very least, to see how it pans out. If it does? Great. You’re a top 3-ish seed in the East. If not? Pick up the phone and make the call.

Either way, the cards are in their hands. We’ll see how they play them.

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