Ben Simmons Trade Situation Takes James Harden Twist: “Looking for a Deal That Makes Us a Championship Contender”

With the NBA trade deadline coming soon, teams are looking to make moves. One of the stars of the NBA trade market is Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers have been trying to offload Simmons for a long time, and they are looking to acquire James Harden for Simmons.

Although the future of Simmons is yet to be known, what we know for sure is that he is going to leave his current franchise. He has had a major fallout with the 76ers and has been looking for a move out of Philadelphia for a long time now.

Despite the trade deadline coming soon, major sources report that the 76ers would be looking to keep Ben Simmons for now at least. They look to acquire superstars like James Harden during the summer.

Ben Simmons for James Harden?

With the trade deadline around two weeks away, the Philadelphia 76ers have been trying to offload Simmons. According to The Athletic, the 76ers are now looking to keep Simmons until the summer to get a good deal on him.

Daryl Morey, the president of the Philadelphia 76ers has revealed his plans for Simmons. Speaking on a radio broadcast, Morey mentioned,” the team is looking for a deal that makes us a championship contender.”

James Harden immediately comes into the picture. Having worked with Morey before, the president has a liking for the Brooklyn Nets superstar. Simmons’ future still remains in the air, with the Australian not playing a single game in the 2021-22 season.

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The failed deal to get Harden

When James Harden left the Houston Rockets, the Philadelphia 76ers were the frontrunners to land his signature. Reports also mention how Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle were offered to the Rockets to land Harden. Ultimately, the deal did not go through and Harden joined the Brooklyn Nets.

Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer mentioned, “But the Sixers thought they had a deal for Harden done, according to sources. The team won’t come out and say it, but Morey pushed hard to reunite with the 2018 MVP. “

The reasons behind the Rockets rejecting the offer from Philadelphia is unknown, but many speculate that the Rockets wanted rookie Tyrese Maxey along with Simmons and Thybulle. The 76ers could not match the Rockets’ demands, which ultimately led them to miss out on Harden. 

It remains to be seen whether the 76ers can finally get their man, and it certainly does not seem impossible. He has currently not signed a contract extension with the Brooklyn Nets and he can certainly take his talents to Philadelphia.

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Do you see James Harden joining the Philadelphia 76ers? Let us know in the comments below.