Nets, 76ers Reunite For Trade Call, ‘Bicker’ Over James Harden, Ben Simmons

February 9, 2022

The 76ers and Nets reengaged in a trade call on Tuesday and “bickered” about a potential trade centered on star guards Ben Simmons and James Harden, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Nets coach Steve Nash recently told the media that the Nets will not be trading Harden ahead of Thursday’s deadline. Sixers chief of basketball operations Daryl Morey appears to be persistent in trying to unload Simmons and land Harden — either before Thursday or in the offseason.

Despite the fact the teams revisited talks, it doesn’t appear they are any closer to a deal, per Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. Others have said a Simmons-for-Harden trade ahead of the deadline is a major long shot.

That said, Pompey’s sources aren’t convinced that the Nets are standing as firm on not moving Harden as they are leading everyone to believe, with Pompey reporting the Nets are actually “split” on a Harden trade.

“Some want to get rid of him now, thinking that he’s quit on the team and is hurting the chemistry,” Pompey wrote. “Harden has publicly told his teammates, coaches and team personnel that he wants to stay in Brooklyn. However, word keeps leaking out that he wants to play for the Sixers.”

As an aside, multiple reports now suggest the 76ers would be willing to include guard Seth Curry with Simmons to land Harden. But that still may not be enough for the Nets, Mannix wrote.

Simmons has yet to play in a game after he and the 76ers agreed to seek a trade in the offseason. Some reports suggest he could join Philadelphia and suit up if he’s not moved by the deadline.

Meanwhile, Harden will test free agency this summer and reports say he would be open to joining the 76ers and reuniting with Morey, his general manager with the Rockets.

Not so, Nash said.

“This has been a constant thing since the summer,” Nash said. “He’s continually reiterated that he wants to be here, and we’ve continually said that we want him here and that that’s our best chance to win. So nothing’s changed.”