Report: Rockets star James Harden ‘open’ to 76ers commerce as season nears initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Boston

James Harden’s future with the Houston Rockets is unsure, and we have now realized of one other workforce he could be keen to affix by way of commerce.

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday that the celebrity guard is open to the concept of being dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers. 

“After it was clear there was no traction in talks with the Nets, Harden expressed to the Rockets that he could be agreeable if a commerce with the 76ers materialized, sources stated,” MacMahon and Wojnarowski write. “Harden additionally indicated that there may very well be different groups that match his standards for a most well-liked vacation spot, a supply stated.”

Forsberg: Who’s crucial Celtic after the Jays?

MacMahon and Wojnarowski additionally famous, citing sources, that the Rockets are on the lookout for “a younger franchise cornerstone and a bundle of first-round picks and/or proficient gamers on rookie contracts” in return for Harden. 

The Sixers, if wholesome — and that is a large if — are one of many high groups within the Japanese Convention and a legit contender for an NBA championship. Philadelphia’s title hopes had been derailed by All-Star level guard Ben Simmons‘ season-ending harm that compelled him to overlook the workforce’s first-round sweep by the hands of the rival Boston Celtics within the 2020 playoffs.

A Harden/Simmons or Harden/Joel Embiid pairing in Philly could be enjoyable to look at and make the 76ers a harder workforce for the opposite high East contenders — Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Warmth, Brooklyn Nets and Celtics — to beat. 

Celtics Speak Podcast: Breaking out the Kemba Walker panic meter; the reality about why Gordon Hayward left | Pay attention & subscribe | Watch on YouTube

From a Celtics perspective, a Harden commerce to the Sixers or one other East contender won’t be the worst factor on the earth. He is really performed worse versus the C’s than many different groups since he was drafted in 2009. Harden has averaged 22.4 factors, 5.4 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 22 profession video games in opposition to Boston. The one workforce — excluding the Rockets — that Harden has a decrease scoring common (21.5) in opposition to is the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Celtics have a number of good wing defenders — together with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Marcus Sensible — able to slowing down Harden.

There’s a number of anticipation for the 2020-21 NBA season, which is scheduled to start Dec. 22. One of the fascinating storylines is Harden’s future, and which workforce he’ll go to if the Rockets make a severe push to maneuver him earlier than the commerce deadline in March.