When Ben Simmons requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2021-22, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey honed in on James Harden as the trade target to play alongside Joel Embiid, prioritizing Harden over players like Bradley Beal or De’Aaron Fox, according to NBA insider Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
The Sixers wound up trading Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets for Harden, who had a close relationship with Morey since they were together on the Houston Rockets. Many people around the NBA thought Harden would spend the rest of his career in Philadelphia.
However, Harden requested a trade from the Sixers in June and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on Halloween. Harden, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, no longer has a relationship with Morey.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Ben Simmons, Bradley Beal, De’Aaron Fox, Daryl Morey, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
According to Shelburne, Harden and his camp became convinced Morey only intended to offer him a two-year deal in the offseason if he declined his $35.6 million player option and became a free agent at the end of June. The Sixers insisted to Harden they would make him a strong NBA offer as soon as they were allowed to.
However, Harden didn’t buy it and he didn’t want to take the chance of losing his Bird rights and leverage in free agency. The future Hall of Famer opted into the final year of his contract and asked for a trade instead.
Simmons is still on the Nets and Fox is still on the Sacramento Kings. However, Beal no longer plays for the Washington Wizards. He was traded to the Phoenix Suns this past offseason.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Ben Simmons, Bradley Beal, De’Aaron Fox, Daryl Morey, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Fox and Beal are two of the best guards in the NBA, while Simmons is looking to restart his career with the Nets after not playing at all in 2021-22 and struggling last season.
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