James Harden, Ben Simmons Rumors Intensify Ahead Of NBA Trade Deadline

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Rumors connecting the Sixers to Brooklyn Nets superstar James Harden intensified on Thursday, raising hopes for some fans that the months-long stalemate between the Sixers and their beleaguered All-Star Ben Simmons could finally be coming to an end.

The Sixers and Nets have not yet had formal talks on a deal, but they are widely expected to speak before Thursday's deadline, according to ESPN.

Harden is unhappy in Brooklyn and wants to come to Philadelphia, but has hesitated to request a trade outright due to a fear of public backlash, the report states.

Harden is perhaps right to be weary of what the public may think of him no longer wanting to suit up for his team: Simmons has been excoriated by the Philadelphia media and fans for his choice to sit out the 2021-22 season. The Sixers' young star has asked the team for a trade, and has also said he is not mentally ready to return to the court. He's been fined millions thus far, as the Sixers say Simmons has refused to work with their team doctors to help get him in playing condition.

Harden, meanwhile, finds himself at the center of trade rumors for the second straight year, a year after he demanded a trade from the Houston Rockets. One of the league's premier scorers, he would be a transformative addition to the Sixers roster, but he would not come cheaply. Other key pieces would need to go to Brooklyn along with Simmons to get a deal done. Other factors that throw cold water on the idea of a deal reaching the finish are Harden's age (32) and questions about his long term durability, as well as the fact that Brooklyn is an archival of the Sixers and the younger Simmons could hypothetically do damage to them for years to come.

The Sixers have stayed right in the hunt at the top of the east without Simmons. They're 32-22, just 2.5 games back of the Heat for the conference lead.