Sixers 'mocked' James Harden-Ben Simmons trade report? 

A new report Friday breathed new life into trade rumors linking James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers themselves, however, are clearly not as bullish as one might think in light of that report.

A report from The Athletic on Friday indicated that the Brooklyn Nets may be more open to trading James Harden, and that trade talks between the Nets and Sixers are expected prior to the Feb. 10 trade deadline.

The 76ers, however, are taking this report with a grain of salt. The story has been “mocked internally,” according to Kyle Neubeck of Philly Voice. Leading voices within the Sixers organization question why they should be expected to give up multiple pieces of value for a player in Harden who is characterized as unhappy and a threat to leave as a free agent this summer. If that is really the case, the 76ers question why they should have to give up anything beyond Ben Simmons to bring Harden in.

There appears to be a significant amount of posturing going on between the two teams. The Nets might be inviting an offer, but the 76ers are clearly not inclined to give up what they see as too much in a Harden deal. That is a lot of ground to make up to consummate a trade with the deadline less than a week away.

This report also runs counter to some other things we have heard about Harden’s standing with the Nets. This situation clearly bears watching over the next week, but there definitely does not seem to be anything imminent.