Before James Harden trade, did Sixers almost deal Ben Simmons for Bradley Beal or Tyrese Haliburton?

The Philadelphia 76ers believed that they had one other life like commerce choice involving Ben Simmons main as much as the Feb. 10 commerce deadline, nevertheless it fell aside a couple of days earlier than the James Harden deal got here collectively. That is in keeping with Sixers president Daryl Morey himself, who, in a Feb. 16 appearance on “The Rights to Ricky Sanchez” podcast, described it as “nearly an excellent choice that we preferred.” The entrance workplace “fairly closely explored” the opposite commerce, Morey stated. “After which, for causes that might reveal who I am speaking about, I am unable to actually say why it type of shifted, nevertheless it shifted.”

As noted previously, after they completed interviewing Morey, co-hosts Michael Levin and Spike Eskin speculated in regards to the thriller commerce. Possibly it concerned Bradley Beal, and Philadelphia moved on across the time that the Washington Wizards introduced he’d have season-ending wrist surgery. Possibly it concerned Tyrese Haliburton, after which the Sacramento Kings determined to trade him to the Indiana Pacers. And for those who’ve listened to approach too many NBA podcasts since then, you might need heard compelling proof for each.

On Thursday’s episode of “The Bill Simmons podcast,” The Ringer founder Invoice Simmons informed ESPN’s Zach Lowe that Joel Embiid wished Beal all alongside. 

“I’ve had fairly good intel all through this complete factor,” he stated. “That is what I used to be listening to within the second: that Embiid actually wished Bradley Beal and was pushing actually laborious for it and was speaking to him on a regular basis and was pushing, pushing, pushing. And a part of the rationale the commerce stuff took so lengthy was that there was this Sixers aspect that wished Harden — clearly (together with) Daryl as a result of Harden’s his man — however Embiid actually wished Beal as a result of he felt like he was a greater match and was pushing, pushing pushing.

“Then Beal will get damage. However … Embiid remains to be pushing: ‘No, no, no, Beal, Beal, Beal, nonetheless engaged on him.’ After which Beal’s like, ‘I am out,’ and he will get surgical procedure. After which that is how we find yourself with the Harden scenario.”

And on Friday’s episode of “The Old Man & the Three” podcast, Haliburton informed JJ Redick that he briefly thought he was being traded to the Sixers. 

“I went to Topgolf the evening earlier than with some mates,” Haliburton stated. “I had a very good evening. I wakened that morning and acquired the decision from my agent and I believe I did not reply at first. He texted me, he is like, ‘Name me ASAP.’ So I am like, ‘Is anyone getting traded?’ After which he is like, ‘You are getting traded.’ And I used to be like, ‘Cease taking part in.’ He is like, ‘No, you are going to get traded. I believe you are going to get traded to Philly.’ And I am like, ‘Actually?'”

At this level, Haliburton stated, he known as Philadelphia ahead Georges Niang, a fellow former Iowa State Cyclone.

“Clearly the rumors had been occurring about it and so they do not cease, however I by no means took ’em severe,” Haliburton stated. “However now I am like calling Georges, like, ‘Yo, bro, like, are you listening to something? Am I coming to play with you?’ He is like, ‘I have never heard nothing.'”

Then, he stated, Haliburton’s agent known as to tell him that he was going to Indiana.

“I am like, ‘What?'” Haliburton stated. “After which it simply occurred. So all of it occurred fast. I heard nothing about it main as much as it.”

Haliburton’s story is actually the identical because the one Niang informed Duncan Robinson on the Feb. 17 episode of “The Long Shot” podcast. 

“In a matter of like 5 minutes, this dude was speaking to me about like ‘I believe I am being traded to you guys,’ then it is Indiana, I do not know if it is true,” Niang stated. “After which it occurs. And now the child has to go from California, the place he most likely by no means wore a winter jacket to the midwest the place he is most likely asking to be sponsored by Canada Goose ‘trigger it is so chilly. Like, it occurred so quick, man. It is loopy.”

So what’s the fact?

Primarily based on Morey’s consistent public comments, the Sixers had been on the lookout for a star participant who would enhance their championship odds in a right away and vital approach. That description applies extra to Beal, a 28-year-old who has made the All-Star staff thrice and the All-NBA team as soon as, than it does to Haliburton, a 21-year-old who has All-Star potential. 

In a Jan. 20 interview on 97.5 The Fan’s “The Mike Missanelli Show,” although, Morey stated that Embiid was taking part in so properly that, whereas Philadelphia nonetheless wanted an influence participant, it might settle for, say, a top-40 participant as an alternative of a top-30 participant, particularly if it was getting draft picks out of it, too. He even immediately stated that “for certain there are offers with the Sacramento Kings that I believe would work,” though these offers would most likely require a 3rd staff. 

Hmm, hmm, hmm. I lean Beal — keep in mind when The Athletic reported that he was not utterly rejecting the concept of a commerce? — however this thriller stays unsolved.