Currently, the Brooklyn Nets are one of the best teams in the NBA and James Harden is a major part of that.
Despite having a few rough moments so far this season, Harden is averaging 22.7 points, 8 rebounds, and 10.1 assists a game.
Along with Kevin Durant, he’s leading the Nets – who are of course short one of their best players half the time since Kyrie Irving can only play in away games.
The Nets are battling for the top spot in the East and there’s a very good chance they will make it all the way to the NBA Finals this year.
It looks like things are going very well for the Nets and Harden – so why is there serious talk of him being stolen away by the Philadelphia 76ers?
Selling Simmons
It’s January and the 76ers still haven’t traded Ben Simmons.
That’s surprising to a lot of people because it’s very, very obvious he will never play for the team again.
But Philly isn’t looking to send him away for just any trade package – even if he hates playing for them and refuses to suit up, they don’t want to lose him for a few smaller trade targets or free agents.
In terms of players in the NBA, Harden is one of the biggest names in the game and is the exact sort of guy the team wants.
They would happily trade Simmons for Harden and there are various reports that they are waiting to find out Harden’s plans before they serve Simmons away.
“Morey holding out hope for (Harden) should surprise no one…It wasn’t just the on-court success that created their bond… It was the way he empowered Harden like never before, hiring (MDA) whose system played so wonderfully to his strengths & building the roster around him…” https://t.co/cJsZX6Vo6L
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) January 24, 2022
Harden on the 76ers would make a lot of sense: he’d get to play with Joel Embiid, one of the best and most promising men in the NBA, plus his and Embiid’s styles are way more different than his and Durant’s and Irving’s.
In other words, Harden would feel much more comfortable playing alongside Embiid than he would Durant and Irving.
Boxing Up From Brooklyn
While some people think Harden won’t be leaving the Nets any time soon, there is more reason to believe it could happen – and Philadelphia could be his new hometown.
The latest news says that Harden isn’t happy living in Brooklyn and is frustrated with the entire Irving situation.
In fact, he’s so unhappy that he is sending signals that he’s going to test out free agency in the months ahead.
James Harden has not enjoyed living in Brooklyn and has voiced his frustrations regarding Kyrie Irving's part-time playing status, per B/R's @JakeLFischer
Harden has made it clear he intends to test out free agency even if it leads him back to the Nets pic.twitter.com/7bhI9QnGkO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 25, 2022
If this is true and Harden really isn’t satisfied by how things are going with the Nets, Philadelphia might have their dreams come true.
Pitching the 76ers to Harden should be easy – they can easily make a case for how they could be championship contenders if Harden comes over.
The 76ers are just getting better and better and this season has them performing at their peak.
They are seemingly just one or two puzzle pieces away from being championship-ready.
Perhaps Harden is that missing puzzle piece.
And perhaps he knows it.
Harden to the 76ers is no longer just a pipe dream – in fact, there’s a good chance it could become a reality very soon.
