As the noise surrounding any mooted moves for Ben Simmons ahead of the trade deadline of February 10 begins to quieten down, another blockbuster move has begun to gain steam.
Brooklyn Nets superstar James Harden has reportedly emerged into the crosshairs for the 76ers in a potential trade for Simmons, but it would be a summer deal as opposed to one completed in this trade window.
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Harden has a longstanding relationship with Sixers President Daryl Morey due to the pair spending years together at the Houston Rockets and the 32-year-old also is good pals with Sixers co-owner Michael Rubin.
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It all seems perfectly set up for Harden and Simmons to swap places.
But for a number of other major figureheads across the league, it’s a little too perfect.
According to Yahoo Sports NBA writer Vincent Goodwill, there are multiple team executives who think there is some “collusion” happening between the Sixers and the Nets.
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“I’ve been talking to a rival owner, talking to rival front office executives who believe that there could be some talk going on now between both sides,” Goodwill told the Posted Up podcast.
“When the time comes, if a deal does look like it’s about to transpire where there could be some potential sign-and-trade in the off-season, they’re (front office execs) prepared to get the league involved on a potential collusion case dating back to what they believe could be going on right now.
“(That’s) Why we’re hearing a lot of Philadelphia, James Harden talk.
“That’s something to keep an eye on.
“If it does get to the point where it looks like James Harden will be headed to Philly, I was told there will be complaints issued to the league and try to investigate to see if there were any collusion, any talk of recruitment going on right now.”
The NBA’s Anti-Collusion Provisions state that “no NBA team, its employees or agents, will enter into any contracts, combinations or conspiracies, express or implied, with the NBA or another other NBA team, their employees or agents: (a) to negotiate or not to negotiate with any Veteran or Rookie.”
Given the Sixers have remained firm on its stance that no trades for Simmons will be forthcoming unless they receive an offer big enough to send the Aussie out of Philly, Harden is shaping up to be the big fish they’ve been looking for.
In an added boost, Harden is reportedly open to a new destination and hasn’t enjoyed living in Brooklyn.
There’s plenty of twists and turns for the Simmons trade saga to take, but the recent Harden developments could mean there’s finally some light at the end of the tunnel.
This news is republished from another source. You can check the original article here