The NBA trade rumor whirlwind has hit Brooklyn, as Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Friday that the Nets are open to discussing a trade with the 76ers that would be headlined by a James Harden and Ben Simmons swap.
Harden’s name has swirled around Philadelphia for a while now, with some NBA executives reportedly already preparing to file collusion complaints if Harden landed in Philly in the offseason, given the Brooklyn superstar’s relationship with Sixers ownership. But now, Harden could be on the move within the next week before Thursday’s deadline.
But 76ers youngster Tyrese Maxey may not be included in any deal for Harden.
According to Michael Kaskey-Blomain of CBS Sports, Philadelphia will not include Maxey in “any potential deals” with the Nets for Harden, citing league sources with team knowledge. Maxey, just 21 years old, has shined as a starter this season, averaging 16.9 points and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 40 percent from beyond the arc.
Maxey was the team’s 21st overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and would almost certainly come up in discussions for Harden, an 11-time All-Star who is currently posting his worst field goal percentage since his rookie year, and his lowest scoring output since 2012. But it seems like the Sixers would quickly shut down any ask that includes Maxey.
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