Reports are circulating that Daryl Morey is the new President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers. Morey, who recently stepped down as the Rockets GM, could be helping new 76ers coach Doc Rivers build a winning project.

With the close relationship between James Harden and Daryl Morey, people are speculating about ‘The Beard’ possibly jumping ship to Philly. And ESPN’s Stephen A Smith couldn’t be happier.

On his ‘First Take’ morning show, Smith emphasized that the 76ers should try for Harden, despite the Rockets reluctance to trade him or Russell Westbrook.

He said, “I thought long and hard about this. First of all, if I’m the Houston Rockets, I don’t do it. But if I’m the Philadelphia 76ers, and the goal is to get to the finals.

“I’m Daryl Morey the first thing I do is get James Harden to become a Philadelphia 76er. Even if it means me trading Ben Simmons.”

Smith praised Ben Simmons but didn’t consider him as good a fit with Embiid as Harden. “I love me some Ben Simmons. I know how elite defensively he is, at 24 years of age. 6’10, plays defense the way he does, the basketball IQ, the basketball ability.

“But I will remind everybody; while we sit here and we lament the state of affairs with the Houston Rockets owners and all this other stuff. Let me remind everybody that for the last three years, James Harden has averaged 30, 36, and 34.

“When you talk about Harden with a big man with the quality of a Joel Embiid, a healthy Embiid, you’re talking chip, at least getting to the Finals.”

James Harden to 76ers – Stephen A Smith approves

The First Take analyst praised the talents of James Harden. “His ability to get to the free-throw line, to draw fouls, to create his own shot to hit from 3, to create shots, to finish at the basket.

“This brother is a magician on the offensive side of the ball, he is an absolute scoring machine. If you give him guys around him, especially someone like Embiid who can ball, some defenders, it works.”

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While Smith emphasized that he didn’t think the Rockets would go ahead with this, he admitted that the 76ers must try for Harden.

“With Doc Rivers as the coach, and Daryl Morey as the GM…If I’m the Philadelphia 76ers and Daryl Morey is officially named my President of Basketball Operations, my number one objective is to try to get James Harden in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform.”

76ers fans are hoping that Morey can lure Harden to Philadelphia. Their relationship has been well documented in the past, with Morey even saying Harden changed his life. While the Rockets have been insistent that Harden is not on the trading block, an offer including Ben Simmons and a few extra pieces could do the trick. Morey is known as a master trade creator, but prying Harden away from Houston may be his toughest challenge yet.

“It’s How the Story Should End”: Daryl Morey Pens an Emotional Goodbye to James Harden and the Houston Rockets