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James Harden trade rumors continue to fly like locusts as the Houston Rockets search for a destination for their disgruntled superstar. Harden failed to show up on time for training camp this year and has reportedly made his trade demands clear. The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76’ers are supposedly his first choices for a new team, but according to ESPN, interest is rising and the list of possible landing places is expanding.
Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne color in the lines:
Several playoff-caliber teams in the Eastern and Western conferences have told ESPN that they are finding increased comfort in committing high-level trade assets in talks to acquire Harden. The Rockets have ongoing discussions on several fronts and have been communicating with Harden about those scenarios, sources said.
Several teams told ESPN that they are feeling less inhibited about trading for Harden without an assurance that he would re-sign once he can become a free agent in two years.
Wojnarowski also tweeted that talks are accelerating.
.@wojespn said that the Rockets are hoping to get a deal done for Harden "sooner than later," and that Houston is looking into a three-team trade scenario to make sure they get the player they want. pic.twitter.com/FkIQiFnW1b
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 18, 2020
Shams Charania of The Athletic claims that the Sixers aren’t out of the running, and have even offered All-Star Ben Simmons in potential trade packages.
The Philadelphia 76ers have made Ben Simmons available in some packages with the Houston Rockets for James Harden, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Conversations aren't fluid as of now.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 17, 2020
New President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey says, “Not so fast...”
In response, 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium: “We are not trading Ben Simmons — he is an important part of our future.” https://t.co/W6T7HQjjoP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2020
Meanwhile Blazer’s Edge writer Dia Miller said, “Yeah, no” when asked by sister site The Dream Shake whether the Blazers should accept a Harden trade that had Portland sending out CJ McCollum, Zach Collins, and first-round picks in 2023 and 2025.
Here’s part of her response:
As things stand, I wouldn’t give up a single player from the roster in exchange for Harden, let alone two key players and two first round picks. Harden’s style of play and how he conducts himself wouldn’t be a fit for Portland—a team that prides itself on chemistry and team culture.
Stay tuned and we’ll see where Harden actually ends up.