Sixers Would Swap James Harden for Ben Simmons: Report

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Brooklyn’s James Harden takes the ball as Kyrie Irving runs behind him within the second half in opposition to the Miami Warmth at Barclays Middle on January 23, 2021 in New York Metropolis.

Brooklyn Nets star James Harden was just about non-existent for the staff of their Japanese Convention Semifinals matchup in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks. However that was as a result of he returned prematurely from a hamstring damage after Kyrie Irving obtained injured in Sport 4. After an offseason the place Harden had almost six months to rehab, Nets followers thought they’d get the MVP caliber participant that they’d grown accustomed to seeing throughout his time with the Houston Rockets. Sadly, that has not been the case as far as Harden is averaging simply 20.3 factors per recreation this season. That is his lowest factors per recreation common for the reason that 2011-12 season when he was nonetheless coming off the bench for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.

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Harden on Checklist of Gamers Sixers Would Commerce Ben Simmons For

Following their elimination by the Milwaukee Bucks, Nets basic supervisor Sean Marks stated that the staff’s precedence was to get their ‘Large 3’ inked to long-term extensions. Whereas Durant inked a 4-year/$198 million extension this summer season, Harden and Irving haven’t and their contracts are shortly expiring. Harden has remained adamant about his want to stay with the franchise, however there may be nonetheless a risk that he may elect to go away Brooklyn this Summer season. Sam Amick of “The Athletic” reviews that one attainable vacation spot is the Philadelphia 76ers in a swap for three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons.

“In a phrase, no. It doesn’t seem any deal will occur quickly. Because it stands, Simmons isn’t going wherever till Morey is ready to swap him for a very elite participant. And sure, in case you puzzled, the Sixers have an precise checklist of such names internally,” Amick writes.

“As you’ll have heard by now, Portland’s Damian Lillard isn’t solely on stated checklist however someplace close to the highest. Ditto for Brooklyn’s James Harden, the previous Rocket with whom Morey tried unsuccessfully to reunite with in January and who, by the way in which, may come to Philly through sign-and-trade this summer season if he decides to shock the basketball world and go away Kevin Durant behind. Additionally excessive on the checklist: Washington’s Bradley Beal. These varieties of fellows.”

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Stephen A. Smith Calls Out James Harden

Earlier than being traded to Brooklyn final January, Harden had averaged 30 factors per recreation or extra in three consecutive seasons, successful three straight scoring titles. It’s a main motive why regardless of not having the providers of Kyrie folks nonetheless noticed Brooklyn as a severe title contender. However nearing the quarter mark of the season, “The Beard” nonetheless is attempting to place the items collectively as he tries to get better from the hamstring damage that he suffered within the playoffs. Regardless of the very fact, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith isn’t letting him off the hook.

“You’ve obtained a man in James Harden – not the primary yr, that is his second yr in a row. Mad love for James Harden, you’ve obtained to get your act collectively, bro,” Smith stated throughout a latest episode of “First Take.”

“You ain’t James Harden proper now. Averaging 19 factors per recreation, you sitting there struggling from the sphere. You had 24 factors final night time, it was essentially the most meaningless 24 factors that I’ve ever seen from the profession of James Harden. You’re a celebrity, and you aren’t trying like one.”

Slowly however certainly, James Harden has improved as he has led the Nets in scoring for the previous two video games, however he must keep constant if the Nets need to maintain their title hopes alive.

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