The Nets and 76ers are not close to a trade centered on star guards James Harden and Ben Simmons, despite some reports to the contrary, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Earlier Tuesday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst suggested that the Nets were in “deal zone” on a Harden-Simmons trade — but Wojnarowski seemed to shoot down his colleague’s information.
“They are nowhere,” Wojnarowski said on Get Up, via RealGM.
“Well, I try not to be in the prediction business because you follow the news where it leads. Right now, there’s no negotiation going on between Philadelphia and Brooklyn. The trade deadline is tomorrow at 3, (so things) can change. But the idea that they’re going back and forth that has been surmised by some, I don’t believe that to be accurate.”
Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the teams had talked trade Tuesday, and “bickered” during the call. Simmons has not appeared in a game this season, and Harden will be a free agent when it’s over. All we really know is the Sixers want to trade Simmons and Harden is their primary target.
“Again, deadlines create action often. People hold out. There’s always a lot of posturing,” Wojnarowski said. “But I think Brooklyn still believes it’s best path right now is to get Kevin Durant back. And James Harden healthy. And Kyrie Irving on the court. And et those three together again probably after the All-Star break…
“It’s not a perfect or ideal scenario with James Harden right now. There’s no question about that. I think barring a flurry of negotiations and activity that hasn’t happened yet, right now James Harden is likely to be with the Nets.
“Again, it’s always fluid. I don’t sense an appetite from Brooklyn to do a deal that’s simply Ben Simmons for James Harden. If Philadelphia decided to, you know, get really aggressive with an offer or offers, again it can change of course. I don’t believe there’s any negotiations going on right now.”
Watch the complete video of Woj’s take below:
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
