Ben Simmons caught in ugly NBA furore alongside James Harden
James Harden's potential trade to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons could trigger a tampering investigation from the NBA, according to league sources.
Brooklyn Nets star Harden has been linked to the 76ers because of his relationship with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey from their time with the Houston Rockets, while Harden is also friends with 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin.
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But some front-office executives believe talks are already going on between Harden and the 76ers on a potential offseason move, and this could be considered tampering by the league.
According to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports US, a number of teams have said they would ask the NBA to investigate if Harden ends up in Philly.
As the February 10 trade deadline nears, there has been renewed interest in what the 76ers are planning to do with disgruntled star Ben Simmons.
Simmons has not played this season after asking for a trade, but the 76ers have not received a trade offer they deem enough to send the Aussie star out of Philadelphia.
Harden could be the caliber of player the 76ers are holding out for, and Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report said this week that Harden may not be happy in Brooklyn and could be open to a change of scenery.
The Nets are major contenders to win the 2021/22 NBA title, but have rarely had their Big 3 on the court at the same time.
Kyrie Irving is only allowed to play certain away games because he refuses to get vaccinated, while Kevin Durant recently suffered an MCL sprain and won't return until after the All-Star break.
76ers reject Sacramento's trade package for Ben Simmons
Earlier this month, the 76ers reportedly knocked pack a trade proposal from Sacramento that would have seen Simmons, Matisse Thybulle and Tobias Harris sent to the Kings.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the upgraded offer included Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, Harrison Barnes and two first-round picks for Simmons' services.
Defensive powerhouse Thybulle, who starred at the Olympics for the bronze-medal Boomers, and Harris were also bundled into the package.
A source told the newspaper the Sixers weren't interested though, despite the prospect of a disgruntled Simmons spending the entire NBA season on ice.
Simmons' representatives met with the team in Philadelphia recently but the sitdown ended with nothing settled and the demand for a trade from the All-Star point guard's camp remains intact.
Simmons hasn't played this season and an acrimonious split appears likely given tensions between him, head coach Doc Rivers and 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid.
Embiid called Simmons' holdout a "slap in the face" and declared he'd no longer talk about Simmons or the trade rumours.
Team president Daryl Morey and general manager Elton Brand are reportedly insisting on equal value in any trade, and according to ESPN, the 76ers also upped the asking price by requesting teams take Harris' hefty contract in return.
with AAP
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