Frustration brewing for Harden with the Nets. Sounds like he could very well be walking this off-season, and a S&T right into Philadelphia could be the Nets best option.
Plz get Harden to Philly. Oh lawd Embiid & Harden combo would be insane.
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As the NBA calendar approaches the Feb. 10 trade deadline, word has circulated around the league about James Harden's increased interest in testing the open market this summer, and how his impending free agency is impacting the Philadelphia 76ers' asking price for Ben Simmons.
In his 13-year career, Harden has never been a free agent. By all accounts, the former MVP has clear intentions to reach unrestricted free agency for the first time, even if that would lead him back to the Nets.
Harden remains invested in competing for the title in Brooklyn this season, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation. But Harden has recently informed several confidants—including former teammates and coaches—of his interest in exploring other opportunities outside of Brooklyn this summer, league sources told B/R.
"James isn't going to hold back," said a person familiar with Harden. "He's gonna tell you where he stands."
Harden has been vocal to Nets figures and close contacts alike about his frustrations regarding Kyrie Irving's part-time playing status. A recent injury to Kevin Durant has exacerbated the issue, leaving Harden to shoulder the majority of the offensive burden during Brooklyn home games.
Nets coach Steve Nash's fluid rotations have also disappointed Harden, sources told B/R. Nash has favored hot-hand closing lineups, rather than a fixed crunch-time unit.
His new city could also be an issue. According to multiple sources, Harden has not enjoyed living in Brooklyn, compared to his days as a central Houston magnate. Outside of the change in climate, the chasm between state taxes in New York versus Texas is quite obvious as well.
To be clear: There has been no trade request. A Nets-Sixers deal is highly unlikely to materialize prior to the deadline. Yet Harden's apparent openness to joining Embiid and reuniting with Philadelphia president Daryl Morey will loom over the Sixers' trade conversations for Simmons these next three weeks. A potential sign-and-trade for Simmons this offseason, was noted by Bleacher Report back in early December.
This post was edited by Sixers on Jan 25 2022 11:10am