Even With AWOL Point Guard, Sixers Hold Leverage In a Harden Deal With The Nets

Approaching the Thursday 3PM trade deadline, the basketball world waits to see if a blockbuster deal is struck between the Sixers and Nets surrounding disgruntled guards Ben Simmons and James Harden. Realistically, the chances of a deal getting done by the deadline seems scarce. Yet, we learned the hard way that “when there is smoke there is fire” . This summer there were multiple reports that Ben Simmons wanted out of Philadelphia. So, it is at least reasonable to believe that James Harden is unhappy in Brooklyn and would like to leave. This would pave the way for him to end up a 76er.

Today, I took matters into my own hands and DM’d Daryl Morey what my proposal to the Nets would be. Here it is as followed:

Here is my proposal to the Nets: they get Simmons and control over his contract for next 4 years. Gives them core of at least KD and Simmons. Danny Green is a reliable veteran shooter who helps caps match (they’ll probably counter with Curry). Add Shake Milton to give them another reliable ball handler if they want another player in the deal and are actually buying out Millsap. Gives them two more dependable ball handlers on roster with Patty Mills since Kyrie doesn’t play every night and they are losing Harden. Figuring it will take 2 1st round picks on top of that between 2022-24 and we already don’t have 2025. Allows them to recoup the picks they lost trading for Harden originally. If this doesn’t work, we just tell them we’ll revisit a similar deal in the summer or Harden can just flat out walk entirely.

The Nets obviously want Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle and any other asset in Philadelphia they deem valuable. Too bad. Despite Ben Simmons absence and his obvious disdain for the Sixers, the fans, and taking accountability, he is still the most valuable asset in this trade if you are Brooklyn. Under contract for the next four years, Simmons offers a security to the Nets they seem to be losing grip of by the day. From every recent report about Harden, the idea of him bolting this summer no longer sounds like a risk for Brooklyn, but rather an inevitability.

Brooklyn is on an eight game losing streak heading into the trade deadline. They are currently slotted in the play-in game in the Eastern Conference. Kevin Durant is still out for a few weeks. Kyrie Irving is not getting vaccinated. The trade that could save their season and set them up for the future is sitting on the table.

If they don’t take it, we will be right back to the same deal this summer if/when Harden declines his player option. Whether you want to have the call with Daryl Morey now or in the summer, the call is bound to happen. By waiting, you risk the chance of getting a worse deal in return this summer since Harden has the ability to sign anywhere he wants. Or, he flat out leaves for NOTHING.

By this summer, there will be more teams for the Sixers to saddle up with and shed some cap space (my God, that’s Portland’s music!). They could trade Ben Simmons, or move off of Tobias Harris contract, or both! Thus paving the way to just flat out sign James Harden, leaving the Nets with no assets in return.

At 3:01pm Thursday, James Harden’s trade value plunges into a deep abyss. Brooklyn runs the risk of continuing this disaster season and getting pennies on the dollar in a sign-and-trade for Harden in the summer. Or even worse, getting nothing at all for him and watching him walk.

The Nets run all the risk. Don’t let Ben Simmons’ disappearing act make you (or the Brooklyn front office) think differently.