Despite reports that the Nets may be contemplating a trade for 76ers star Ben Simmons, coach Steve Nash said you can ignore anything involving James Harden.
When asked if the Nets fully intend to keep Harden, Nash summed it up in a word: Yes.
“I’ve talked to James and he wants to be here,” Nash told reporters. “And he wants to be here long term as well.”
This is the opposite of what was reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, who recently wrote that the Nets are open to trading Harden to the 76ers for Simmons — before Thursday’s deadline to make a deal.
It’s no secret that the 76ers are in hot pursuit of Harden, given Harden’s relationship with Sixers basketball operations chief Daryl Morey. Harden and Morey, of course, were together with the Rockets.
Multiple reports have suggested Morey is holding off on a Simmons trade until the 76ers can land Harden, even if it means waiting until the summer. Simmons has been holding out in hopes of a trade.
But that’s an issue for the 76ers, and not the Nets, who seemingly still intend to have Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving all available for the playoffs.
“We think when he’s healthy and Kevin’s healthy and Kyrie plays, our team is a totally different team,” Nash said prior to Sunday’s game vs. the Nuggets. “And we’re excited by it.”
Of course, this is NBA trade season, and as we’ve learned, anything can happen between now and when Thursday’s bell rings. But Harden being on the move feels unlikely.
“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.”
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