2020-21-22 Sixers Season

[zambonir]

It's almost like players don't always make the best general managers all the time!

[bigegypt0417]

Exactly!!

[VoteForKalas]

I'd be concerned about trading for Harden especially if we have to throw in Maxey & drafts picks with Simmons.

Harden sulked his way out of Houston and appears to now want out of Brooklyn.

He is a ball hog, plays poor defense, hustles only when he wants to, would be expensive and is injury prone.

He is a very good offensive player, but I'm not convinced his style would mesh with Embiid.

I do not think this trade will ever happen anyway, but I'd rather get a package of talent + picks for Simmons alone that
we could use to continue building our team.

[xogfog]

I'd rather have Beal, but Morey seems enamored with Harden. I kind of hope the Nets balk on moving Harden and Beal requests a trade and the Sixers pounce.

[zambonir]

I don't think the Sixers are giving up Maxey if they can help it, and certainly not as a sweetener (unless it's sweetening Harris and the return is Maxey's replacement).

It seems likely Nets aren't bluffing here this week but it also seems to kind of depend on Harden.

But indeed, it would be really messed up if Morey solved a roster/personality incompatibility problem by creating a new one.

[bkeich]

I really hope we avoid Harden. He is a guy who scores but doesn’t win, he doesn’t even pretend to play defense, is not an efficient scorer anymore and doesn’t seem to care about his team very much.

[bigegypt0417]

Lots of conversation about a big trade being discussed with at least 4 teams...Harris and Simmons would be moved...

https://twitter.com/IAmJamesStewart/status/1491114079838441474?t=EuGQhXVwDPjVUZxNi3eSJQ&s=19

[zambonir]

I wouldn't say he doesn't win. I mean, if that's true I've got some bad news about our general manager (and our coach, for many years now). And even his Thunder teams did more than these Sixers have (as did the Nets last year).

Unfortunately it still seems inevitable. And also probably the best you can get for Ben without giving up too much else. Especially if Lillard is off the market, which seems to be the case (though it will ultimately be up to him). Beal is probably still the most appealing guy (and the youngest, which is no small thing) but he's not perfect (on a max contract) either.

In the end, do you turn your nose up at Harden if the alternative is just getting picks and role players for Ben?

[bigegypt0417]

Tyrese Haliburton traded to the Pacers...

[jimbomill]

I really hope we avoid Harden

He didn't win anywhere, and the OHC team and Brooklyn were strong teams. If we get him, I hope it isn't for a lot years, he's no spring chicken.

[zambonir]

If by "he didn't win" you guys mean an actual NBA title, instead of being part of a very good team for nearly his entire career, sure, but I don't think there are any star players available who has actually done that in the last six years (or 10). And like I said, neither has our GM or coach.

If they get him, it's gonna be for 4-5 years and the max. Same is true of anyone they want which is why Beal might be a less risky long-term play. Lillard's also older and expects to sign his last max extension.

[bkeich]

Actually, yes, I would take draft picks over Harden. Harden is only signed for next season, at $47M and he is 32. He is not just on the downside of his career, but he is already in free fall. He has a terrible attitude, he doesn’t even pretend to play defense and he is a ball hog. I actually wouldn’t want him for almost nothing, and I think we can get something for Simmons (although 2 first round picks is probably the most we could hope for at this point).

Harden at 26, very valuable. Harden at 32, not very.

[zambonir]

But the point is to win a title in the next three years. Joel could still break at any time. And Morey and Rivers aren't here to build a 2025 team led by Joel (hopefully) and Maxey and some guys they haven't drafted yet

If we get Harden, he's going to be signed for 4-5 years. The $47 million isn't really a factor.

The Sixers are constantly settling for second-best in their quest to have a second star (let alone three) but it's still what has to be done. The flaws and risks that come with Harden don't change the fact that he would make the Sixers better. Settling for (and still paying top $ to) another Butler or Harris (or draft picks) does not.

If it fails, that will be Morey's Sixers legacy just as Hinkie, Colangelo and Brand all made huge misfires. But you gotta take the shot.

[zambonir]

Life comes at you fast.

Washington Wizards All-Star guard Bradley Beal plans to undergo season-ending surgery on his left wrist, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski ( @wojespn ) February 8, 2022

This story below outlines all the other ways the Sixers would likely pursue Harden (i.e. a sign-and-trade or clearing enough cap space) if the Nets don't go for it now and then he still wants out.

Amick: What I'm hearing on possibility of a James Harden-Ben Simmons trade...

I just don't think there's anyone in the 76ers organization with second thoughts or second-guessing about Harden. The only obstacle is what the Nets and Harden want to do, and not overpaying in a trade.

[VoteForKalas]

Too bad for Beal, but I never thought that was realistic anyway.

Another new 76ers - Nets article on TheAthletic

Sixers at NBA trade deadline: Ben Simmons-James Harden deal needs to happen now

I thought this answer from Embiid deserved attention and praise. He gets it and I am so glad he is on our team.

You have heard the rumors that the Sixers would welcome Simmons back, and if there is no trade, that would be their only shot at significantly improving their title odds.

It doesn’t seem likely, though. Embiid has been remarkably consistent with his messaging on Simmons. Last night, he was asked if he felt a responsibility to reach back out to Simmons if there is no deal at the deadline. Embiid wants to win, but he is going to be honest about his feelings on Simmons.

“Like I’ve been saying since the season started, I’m happy,” Embiid said. “We got whoever that wants to play is welcome. If someone wants to play, they’re welcome, but we got guys here that want to be here, that show up every single night like I said. I don’t know another type of word that I can use, but I get paid to bring results and win games.

“I don’t get paid to babysit Tyrese; I get paid to challenge him to try to help me win games. I get paid to do the same thing to Tobias and all the other guys and they respond to it every single time. Just like the same way they challenge me, they know that it’s never personal. I always go at them and they always go back at me because we all got the same goal, we want to win. …

“You got to show up, you got to want to be there. And I’m sure everyone’s gonna accept whoever that is. But to answer your question, no. I’m just worried about the guys that are here and if you’re here, I’m gonna challenge you and we’re gonna challenge each other to be better and try to win the championship.”

[bigegypt0417]

Jason Dumas is reporting the nets want Maxey and so far the sixers are saying no way...they better keep saying no way.

Also reporting Patty Mills would be included in the deal to the sixers.

It sounds like Simmons, Thybulle, Drummond and the nets want Curry.

[zambonir]

All these guys are ultimately just in the rumor biz but it's never been clear to me why Dumas would be dialed in.

Last report from Woj was:

Adrian Wojnarowski went on ESPN hours after Windhorst’s report and said the Nets and Sixers are not currently talking. “Right now, there’s no negotiation going on between Philadelphia and Brooklyn [...] The idea that they are going back and forth that’s been surmised by some, I don’t believe that to be accurate.”

James Harden is ‘screaming’ for a trade away from Nets, per report

[VoteForKalas]

I trust Woj a lot so that does IMO throw some cold water on a deadline deal.

Should be an interesting last 24 hrs before the deadline

If Harden is indeed "screaming" to get out of Brooklyn, you'd have to think that influences what Marks does.
On the other hand, if Harden really was pushing to get this done we'd have heard a lot more smoke and even some flame by now.

[jimbomill]

f by "he didn't win" you guys mean an actual NBA title

Yes - that is what I meant. I can't see him being "good enough" beyond next season. After that, he's age 34 season, it's tough to not envision him breaking down enough to matter.

[zambonir]

Woj is careful, the report doesn't mean they haven't talked before, nor that they won't again.

The "screaming" report, OTOH, was entirely Windhorst's opinion and interpretations of Harden's actions. No sources.