While there appears to be some level of interest in a trade from all sides involving the Brooklyn Nets acquiring Ben Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers for James Harden, a deal appears far more likely in the offseason than on deadline day.
“I’ve gotten zero inclination from either side, Brooklyn or Philly, that these trade talks are actually legitimately happening right now,” said Jake Fischer on a Greenrom with Marc Stein early Thursday morning. “I really think this is just a standoff and smoke to the negotiations that will eventually happen come this summer.”
Harden has signaled his interest in a trade to the 76ers, but he has not given the Nets any reason to believe he won’t help them try to win a championship this season.
Both the Nets and 76ers have postured that they have more leverage than the other party.
Adrian Wojnarowski similarly reported that a trade between the Nets and 76ers has not been actively negotiated this week. Brian Windhorst, meanwhile, has categorized the teams as being in the ‘deal zone.’