76ers, Nets in 'deal zone' on Simmons-Harden trade?

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

76ers, Nets in 'deal zone' on Ben Simmons-James Harden trade?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 2/9/22

On Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported the Brooklyn Nets vehemently turned down the Philadelphia 76ers' interest in trading Ben Simmons for James Harden.

Now, it sounds like that tone has changed with the NBA trade deadline just one day away.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Nets and Sixers are actually wrapped up in talks, and a trade could very much be in the cards ahead of the deadline.

"The teams are absolutely engaged in trade discussions," he said. "I know there [are] people saying things on the record, trying to act like that's not happening. But it is absolutely happening. There is definite motivation from both sides to make this fall into place."

.@WindhorstESPN says Ben Simmons-James Harden trade discussions are absolutely happening

"The teams are absolutely engaged in trade discussions. ... As far as I can tell, we're in the deal zone between Harden and Simmons." pic.twitter.com/gvZfNTfCFk
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 9, 2022

Philadelphia has been unsuccessfully trying to part ways with Simmons for some time now, but no team has liked its asking price. The same goes for Brooklyn, which reportedly wants a healthy return for sending Harden to the City of Brotherly Love that the Sixers have found to be too hefty.

The Brooklyn Nets have countered the 76ers with an asking price of Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Matisse Thybulle, and Andre Drummond in a package for James Harden, per @JDumasReports pic.twitter.com/ZcIgh9mtlz
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) February 9, 2022

Another holdup is how vague Harden has been as to whether he wants to stay in Brooklyn or not. While he said he's committed at the start of the season to staying with the Nets — despite not signing a contract extension last offseason — an underwhelming season peppered with injured teammates and COVID-prompted absences may have caused him to change his tune.

"As far as I can tell... we're in the deal zone," Windhorst continued. "I suspect they're going to get it done."

Simmons is just two years into a five-year contract worth $177 million. Harden is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2023.

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