(Photo Credit: Bleacher Report)

By: Justin Vadenais

The Gordon Hayward, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and Giannis Antetokounmpo situations have been resolved. With only days(!!!) remaining until the NBA season tips off, the final domino left to fall to establish the landscape of the league this year is James Harden. He reportedly wants out of Houston, frustrated with the ownership. And although Houston had been earlier reported to be content with Westbrook and Harden both on the roster, Westbrook is a Wizard and the narrative on the Rockets outlook on the Harden situation is changing. Harden reportedly has a list of Eastern Conference contenders that he would prefer as his destinations. These are Miluakee, Miami, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn. The reporting is becoming more frequent that Philly is the most likely destination. And Shams Charania of The Athletic has reported that the package Houston is seeking is Ben Simmons and 3 1st round picks.

It was “leaked” that Philly is open to moving Ben Simmons in a trade, but there has been speculation that Houston was doing that leaking. Makes sense; get the 24 year old All-Star disgruntled that the franchise would be willing to move him, thus forcing Philly’s hand. But the Sixers made the only PR move available to them and outright denied this. The sides do not appear close on a deal as of right now, but as we have seen so often during the last few wild NBA off-seasons, situations can change on a dime in this league.

As for the basketball side of this potential trade, swapping Simmons out for Harden could make the 76ers lethal. We all know the meme that Ben Simmons can’t shoot from the outside. And obviously Harden can. What he makes up for in that area is a gap much larger than the small gap between Simmons and Hardens facilitating and playmaking. Obviously Ben Simmons is one of the better ball handlers and passers in the league. But James Harden isn’t far behind in that category. And with even more outside help this year, the Sixers signed Seth Curry and Danny Green, Philly could replicate what Houston has tried to go for the past few years, a run and gun team that launches 3s. And in addition, Philly has versatile size that could impact inside and defensively that Houston lacked a la Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris. The lone question would be how Harden and Embiid fit off-court and work ethic wise, both players have been questioned in that regard. But Philly may have addressed that problem too, ditching Brett Brown for Doc Rivers. Say what you want about Doc’s X’s and O’s, he is undoubtedly one of the best locker room coaches in the league.

For Houston, Ben Simmons doesn’t fit their previous scheme like Harden did. But with GM Daryl Morey and head coach Mike D’Antoni out the door, their previous scheme doesn’t really exist. And getting a 24 year old high ceiling All Star and 3 1sts is a great way to start a rebuild. Ben Simmons with a jump shot could rapidly rise to a top 10 player in the league. That jump shot developing is far from a guarantee, but there are certainly worse players to build around and invest a future in.