James Harden for Ben Simmons?

With the NBA season off to a hot start and just passing the halfway point. Incoming is the trade deadline. The deadline for this season is, February 10th. There is a lot of buzz circulating around the league, but, the most advertised is a possible exchange between the Nets and the 76ers.

It is known that the 76ers want Ben Simmons off the team with his disrespect to the fans and the franchise. But their idea is to wait until the offseason when there are more stars on the table in free agency for the sixers to pursue in exchange for the 6’11” point guard. But, surprisingly, the Nets are open to trading all-pro shooting guard James Harden in return.

On the season, Harden is averaging: 22.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. So near to a triple double. But, the nets want to explore the options to see if Ben Simmons could get them on a hot streak. This after the Nets being off to a slow start, sitting at 29-23 and 6th in the Eastern Conference.

Do I think it is a good move for Brooklyn? Absolutely not, the difference in skill between Simmons and Harden is unbelievably large. Whenever Harden has the ball it seems like he is going to get a bucket. Then, as for Ben Simmons, it is not the same. The only edge that Simmons has on Harden is his slashing ability and his defense. But, maybe that it what Brooklyn wants. A defender, because they already have two ball-dominant players in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

But this wouldn’t just be a one for one deal. The Brooklyn Nets plan to acquire Tyrese Maxey, Seth Curry, and Matisse Thybulle. So with that being said, with Kevin Durant being sidelined with a torn MCL and missing all-star weekend, the Nets want to add more depth to their roster. So you can see this as an overall fair trade. The 76ers receive a superstar in James Harden. Then the Nets get more depth and more of a defense oriented player in Ben Simmons.

Be sure to have your ringers on, because right around the corner is the trade deadline and there can be some big time moves happening this week.

Gabe Barile

Gabriel Takes