Report: Nets open to blockbuster James Harden trade with East rival

Just over one calendar year after being acquired by the Brooklyn Nets via trade, James Harden could potentially be on the move again.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Friday that the Philadelphia 76ers are expected to pursue Harden ahead of the Feb. 10 trade deadline and that the Nets are now open to discussing a deal. Charania adds that there is an expectation that the two teams will engage in a dialogue centered around Harden and disgruntled 76ers forward Ben Simmons.

The report also says that there is growing concern in Brooklyn about the former MVP Harden’s ball-dominant play style clashing with the free-flowing approach of Nets co-stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Charania’s report has other details about the Harden situation in Brooklyn as well as the 76ers’ approach to a potential deal. You can read it in full here.

We know that the 76ers have been looking for a palatable Simmons trade for many months now and that Philadelphia GM Daryl Morey, Harden’s old GM in Houston, would really like to have Harden back. But the real noteworthy development here is that the Nets now reportedly are open to trading Harden.

Brooklyn is reeling right now, having lost their last six consecutive games. Harden can also become a free agent as soon as this summer if he turns down his $47.4 million player option for next season. That means that the Feb. 10 trade deadline will mark the Nets’ last chance to get something for Harden if they believe that he will depart in free agency.

Of course, there is still a very strong argument for hanging onto Harden. He remains one of the ten best players in the NBA, and the Nets still have not really had their Big Three all together at any point this season.

Nonetheless, recent reports have claimed that the ten-time All-Star Harden is unhappy in Brooklyn. With the team on some shaky ground right now and presumably unsure if Harden will be back after this season, we could have all the ingredients necessary for some tasty Harden trade stew.

Photo: Feb 16, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13) reacts against the Phoenix Suns at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports