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- Brooklyn Nets are reportedly open to discussing James Harden for Ben Simmons trade
- According to Shams Charania, the Nets have concerns over Harden’s ball dominant play style
- Read more BroBible sports articles here
The Brooklyn Nets are apparently ready to break up their big three.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Nets are open to discussing a deal that would send James Harden to the Sixers in exchange for Ben Simmons.
Charania goes on to report that team has been concerned with Harden’s ball-dominant play style.
Sources: The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to pursue Brooklyn's James Harden ahead of NBA trade deadline Thursday – and the Nets are now open to discussing a deal.
Details on @TheAthletic: https://t.co/asdsGS0Sht
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2022
Via The Athletic
Harden’s playing style — one of dominant ball-handling and his own pace from his MVP and All-NBA days in Houston — that contrasts with the free-flowing, organic approach from his two co-stars. Nets coach Steve Nash has met with his team’s stars over finding the balance and most beneficial styles, and although there have been bright spots, too often the team has reverted to a more dry offense at the end of games, especially against the league’s elite teams. In addition, the Nets’ game plans tend to shift depending on when Harden is on and off the floor, meaning a different play style at certain points. This has also been a point of contention from the coaching staff and players, sources said.
A deal is far from done, but it is interesting that the Nets seem to open to trade a week before the February 10th trade deadline.
The expected openness to engage does not mean a deal will come to fruition — the Nets would surely want a significant haul from the 76ers. But it has opened the door to the possibility of a major blockbuster to occur on deadline week, which means Morey and the 76ers are primed to have their shot at Harden in-season, a potential deal that once seemed only possible in the summertime.