Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Rockets want Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey in James Harden trade

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 1/13/21

The James Harden saga has been one of the most interesting stories to follow throughout the 2020-21 NBA season. Harden didn't attend practice on Wednesday after the comments he made about the team following Tuesday's 117-100 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, and now it appears he could be traded as soon as Wednesday evening.

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania , the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets are finalists in the Harden sweepstakes. Marc Stein of the New York Times adds that the Rockets want Ben Simmons and Tyrese Maxey from the 76ers in exchange for the three-time scoring champion.

Houston is increasingly determined to complete a James Harden trade as soon as today, league sources say, and has chased the promising Maxey in addition to Simmons

Philly is known to covet Houston's PJ Tucker in addition to Harden while the Nets have also remained in pursuit
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 13, 2021

Philadelphia has been reluctant to move Simmons in the past, and it's unclear if the Sixers would be willing to move Maxey.

The Nets, meanwhile, are reportedly offering multiple first-round picks and anyone but Kevin Durant in exchange for Harden.

Following Tuesday's loss to the Lakers, Harden said the Rockets "can't be fixed" and that the club is "not even close" to being a contender in the Western Conference.

While Harden waits for a trade, he has essentially quit on the Rockets, scoring less than 20 points in each of his last four games. In eight games this season, the 31-year-old is averaging 24.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game while shooting 44.4% from the field and 34.7% from deep.

Harden hasn't averaged under 25 points per game since the 2011-12 campaign, his third year in the NBA and final season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90.

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