NBA: Sixers to keep Simmons, Embiid, could be out on Harden

Field Level Media/Reuters

<p>76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is apparently out of the James Harden sweepstakes if the Houston Rockets demand one of Philadelphia&#x27;s young All-Stars in return.</p><p>Morey, per ESPN, is unwilling to engage his former employer, the Rockets, in talks surrounding Harden if the return package includes point guard Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid.</p><p>Simmons, 24, was the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and was selected to the 2020 All-Star team along with Embiid, the third pick in the 2014 draft.</p><p>Morey inherited the home-grown stars when he joined the franchise with new head coach Doc Rivers. The key decision-makers, along with general manager Elton Brand, have all made public commitments to keeping Simmons and the 26-year-old Embiid.</p><p>Harden officially became a holdout in Houston on Monday, when first-year coach Stephen Silas confirmed the 31-year-old former MVP wasn&#x27;t planning to show for training camp workouts.</p><p>&quot;He&#x27;s not here and he has a reason, but that&#x27;s on him to tell whoever what the reason is,&quot; Silas said.</p><p>Silas was hired to replace Mike D&#x27;Antoni, who left before Morey and is now an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets under Steve Nash. Harden is also reportedly interested in reuniting with D&#x27;Antoni, plus old Oklahoma City Thunder running mate Kevin Durant in Brooklyn.</p><p>Harden first reportedly broached a trade with the Rockets at the end of the season, around the same time Morey&#x27;s exit became official.</p><p>Harden averaged 34.3 points per game, but his one-season partnership with Russell Westbrook was not a playoff success. The Rockets finished in fourth place in the Western Conference at 44-28 but lost in five games to the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the NBA playoffs.</p><p>Westbrook was traded to the Washington Wizards for John Wall earlier this month.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/twAnzB2KfFo?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is apparently out of the James Harden sweepstakes if the Houston Rockets demand one of Philadelphia's young All-Stars in return.</p>

76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is apparently out of the James Harden sweepstakes if the Houston Rockets demand one of Philadelphia's young All-Stars in return.

NBA: Sixers to keep Simmons, Embiid, could be out on Harden | ABS-CBN

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NBA: Sixers to keep Simmons, Embiid, could be out on Harden

Field Level Media/Reuters

Published Dec 09, 2020 04:12 AM PHT

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Philadelphia 76ers

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