Evan found out via Craig on the air Friday that the Nets are reportedly open to discussing a deal with the 76ers involving Ben Simmons and James Harden, and, naturally, Evan was very level-headed in his reaction to his favorite team reportedly shopping its disgruntled star.
"To James Harden," Evan said. "You are a fart on Nets history."
Evan initially didn't like the trade to acquire Harden last year, until Harden put up MVP-like numbers and battled hamstring injuries to be on the floor for the Nets in the postseason. But this year, his numbers have dipped, he has reportedly grown frustrated with Kyrie Irving's limitations as an unvaccinated player and Steve Nash's rotations, and has been linked to the Sixers for weeks as a potential destination, either before next week's trade deadline or during the offseason.
Now, Evan is convinced the Harden era is over in Brooklyn.
"I won't see him ever play another game for the Nets," Harden said. "He's done.
"It's obvious James Harden doesn't want to be here anymore. He's had a sub-par year. Don't tell me he's an All-Star."
So, is Harden now dead to Evan after winning him over last season?
"Of course he is!" Evan said. "The guy quit on a championship team, did he not?
"You play well for us, we loved you. You started quitting, you stopped playing well…it's the [Julius] Randle situation on steroids…the souring on a player, we joke about it, but of course it happens."
Evan did make sure to note that he partially understands Harden's frustration, but not to the point where he would force his way out in the middle of Brookyln's championship window. But now that Harden could be on his way out, Evan wants to see the Nets pull the trigger on a deal, then flip Simmons to the Kings for other young contributors.
"If you're telling me I can flip James Harden into [Tyrese] Maxey, [Tyrese] Haliburton, [Harrison] Barnes, [Matisse] Thybulle, [Seth] Curry, obviously I'm moving some other smaller pieces, and I'm pairing that with a full-time Kyrie and Kevin Durant, yeah!" Evan said.
That is of course all hypotheticals, and Harden could wind up staying put after next week's deadline. But Evan is convinced he's gone, and likely won't be wishing him well in his next endeavor.
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