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Things are about to get real awkward in Philadelphia for Ben Simmons.
On Thursday night NBA insider Shams Charania dropped a bombshell report when he revealed that a league source told him that the Sixers were now willing to include Simmons in a trade for disgruntled Rockets superstar James Harden.
The Philadelphia 76ers have made Ben Simmons available in some packages with the Houston Rockets for James Harden, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Conversations aren't fluid as of now.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 17, 2020
Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey immediately denied the rumors that he was in talks with the Rockets to trade Simmons.
In response, 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium: “We are not trading Ben Simmons — he is an important part of our future.” https://t.co/W6T7HQjjoP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2020
On Friday morning Simmons appeared to react to the trade rumors with a single emoji that sent NBA fans into a tizzy.
😤
— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) December 18, 2020
you ready? pic.twitter.com/q1dAuz0NFp
— Dave 🪄 (0-0) (follow/like limit) (@PeakRussWest24) December 18, 2020
— Dan Favale (@danfavale) December 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/TeamTrone/status/1339952536883785729
https://twitter.com/AnthonyIrwinLA/status/1339952675471953927
https://t.co/WA40qOe8x9 pic.twitter.com/Muc5LfqEXp
— El Barbudo🏀❶❸ (@hardenisismo) December 18, 2020
It’s unclear whether the Sixers would pull the trigger on Harden but it seems like the rumors are going to be a cloud over the organization until after the Rockets move the superstar guard.