Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G James Harden, F Paul Millsap
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G/F Ben Simmons, G Seth Curry, F Matisse Thybulle, PHI 2023 1st Round Pick (Unprotected)
Brooklyn went “all-in” last season by striking a massive trade with the Houston Rockets for Harden, but it appears that the 32-year-old guard is having second thoughts about choosing the Nets as his desired trade destination.
The Nets intentions of trading Harden at the trade deadline are unclear, but his future is definitely in doubt after multiple reports have surfaced about him being “unhappy” in Brooklyn. It is also said that James Harden is intrigued about the idea of being a free agent, especially since he has never experienced free agency before.
Following three years with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Harden signed a five-year, $78M deal with the Houston Rockets and then near the completion of this contract, Harden agreed to a new four-year supermaximum extension that guaranteed him $228M through the 2022-23 season, the contract he currently has with the Nets.
Playing with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is something that James Harden was willing to sacrifice his game for, especially if it resulted in them winning a championship, but this All-Star trio has barely played with one another since Harden arrived on the scene last season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nets, Sixers To Discuss James Harden For Ben Simmons Deadline Trade
Should he actually want to be on the move and should the Nets be willing to bring in Ben Simmons, a deal with the 76ers is actually possible.
What this trade comes down to though is whether or not the 76ers are willing to trade some of their best secondary talents. Tyrese Maxey is certainly a possible trade target of the Nets in a trade involving James Harden, but so could Seth Curry and Matisse Thybulle.
Sharpshooter Joe Harris has been out for Brookyln since mid-November after undergoing a procedure on his ankle and now there is some concern that Harris could need a second surgery done on his left ankle. The Nets’ perimeter play has really taken a hit with Harris out, hence why Seth Curry could be such a huge addition for the Nets and Kevin Durant.
As for Matisse Thybulle, he is one of the best overall defenders in the league and would instantly help make the Brooklyn Nets a better defensive team, as they currently rank 18th in the league in defensive rating.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nets, Sixers To Discuss James Harden For Ben Simmons Deadline Trade
The fit of Ben Simmons with the Nets next to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is very questionable, but it is possible that head coach Steve Nash could make this work. Should Simmons be willing to play off-the-ball in the low-post offensively almost as the Nets’ “center” and be utilized in pick-and-roll situations, this could actually work out well for Brooklyn.
