Shams Charania: “Sixers Prefer To Wait To Pursue James Harden In The Offseason”
The Athletic’s Sham Charania has the latest chapter in the Ben Simmons saga. With the trade deadline two weeks away it is looking more and more likely that Ben Simmons will not be dealt. The Sixers have had a tough time finding a trade partner/package that intrigues them enough to give up the former Rookie of the Year. But according to Charania, the Sixers sights are on a familiar target; James Harden
76ers prefer to wait to pursue James Harden or another superstar in offseason and want to save Ben Simmons for that potential deal over current market, per sources with knowledge and rival teams.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 24, 2022
Details and Simmons latest with @sam_amick at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/kQl6DBhUZf
Charania writes: “multiple sources, including people with direct knowledge of the teams thinking and also from rival teams involves on the Simmons front, tell The Athletic that the 76ers are believed to preder to wait in order to pursue Harden or another superstar in the offseason and thus want to save Simmons for that potential sign-and-trade rather than take whats available on the current market.”
Shams also added in the teams that are currently trying to pry Simmons from the Sixers before the deadline.
“Sacramento and Atlanta have been among the most engaged recently in talks on Simmons, sources said, but team officials with those organizations doubt the 76ers will lower the price threshold for Simmons before February 10th. The Charlotte Hornets have been among new teams placing a Simmons inquiry to the 76ers, but theres been nothing substantive, sources said.”
The full piece has more information but it looks more and more likely that when you wake up on February 11th Ben Simmons will still be a “sixer.” And I use that term loosely.
