The 2020-21 NBA season is nearing and James Harden is still with the Houston Rockets. Several teams have been suggested but so far, only the Philadelphia 76ers have been making noise.
Shams Charania of The Athletic tweeted that Ben Simmons was made available in some packages with the Houston Rockets for Harden. But all that was shut down when President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey responded by saying the former top pick remains a vital part of the 76ers’ future.
“We are not trading Ben Simmons — he is an important part of our future,” Morey tweeted in response to Charania.
In response, 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium: “We are not trading Ben Simmons — he is an important part of our future.” https://t.co/W6T7HQjjoP — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2020
Morey’s tweet is hardly surprising. Considering the Sixers have him and new head coach Doc Rivers, they prefer to see what the Australian’s tandem can do with Joel Embiid in a different kind of system. This is even though Morey had previously worked with Harden in Houston.
Also, it would cost much to take in Harden. The Rockets want a hefty haul that includes young players and future assets. But Simmons or Embiid has to be included in the deal.
Another team who could make a go for Harden is the Miami Heat. But it appears event that the possible landing spot for “The Beard” has hit a snag. Tyler Herro has been mentioned as someone who could headline the package Miami could send.
According to sources cited by the Five Reasons Sports Network, it appears the Heat are not open to including Duncan Robinson in a potential deal. The 26-year-old has become a vital part of Erik Spoelstra’s rotation. Much of that can be seen last season. So unless team President Pat Riley changes his mind, a deal involving Harden is expected to be left hanging.
We can report at Five Reasons Sports — from multiple league sources — that the inclusion of Duncan Robinson is a major sticking point in the pursuit of Rockets guard James Harden.@5ReasonsSports @ClutchAdamNBA @GregSylvander — Ethan J. Skolnick of @5ReasonsSports (@EthanJSkolnick) December 18, 2020
Unless a shocking development happens in the following days, all signs point to Harden remaining in Houston for now. The eight-time All-Star still prefers to be traded despite efforts to convince him to stay.
Houston could surprise some teams next season if Harden gets his act together. They have new players in the mix such as John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Christian Wood. Without a doubt, things could work under the watch of Stephen Silas once the James Harden issue is resolved.
