Sixers to pursue James Harden, Nets open to the idea

With the NBA trade deadline just days away on Feb. 10, the 76ers are expected to pursue Harden in the coming days and the Nets are believed to be open to discussing a deal, sources with knowledge of the situation tell The Athletic. There’s expectation that both the 76ers and Nets will engage in dialogue on a deal around Simmons for Harden this week, multiple sources say, with Philadelphia holding a chest of role players in Seth Curry, Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle that could sweeten a potential package.
Source: Shams Charania @ The Athletic

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Michael Grange @michaelgrange
If the Nets trade Harden to Sixers (in mid-season!!) it will the ultimate ‘NBA is the best league/worst league’ moment in my lif …. well, until the next one. – 5:03 PM

The Vertical @YahooSportsNBA
The Sixers are expected to pursue a James Harden trade and the Nets are now open to a deal ahead of Thursday’s deadline, per @Shams Charania. pic.twitter.com/8HqnDMOe4S – 5:03 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I’m not gonna lie, part of me is wondering how much of my “James Harden traded to Philly” prewrite from last January I can still salvage. – 4:58 PM

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Sources: The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to pursue Brooklyn’s James Harden ahead of NBA trade deadline Thursday – and the Nets are now open to discussing a deal.
Details on @TheAthletic: theathletic.com/3112818/2022/0… – 4:53 PM

Sarah Todd @NBASarah
Nets come into Utah on a 6-game losing streak. Harden, Durant, Harris, Aldridge, Millsap, Duke all out for the Nets. – 2:10 PM

Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
#Nets guard James Harden (left hamstring tightness) is out tonight vs the #Jazz. – 2:02 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Brooklyn Nets say that James Harden will miss tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz because of left hamstring tightness – 2:01 PM

Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Nets now say James Harden (left hamstring tightness) is out tonight vs. Jazz. Same issue that kept him out of Nuggets game last week. – 2:00 PM

JD Shaw @JShawNBA
Nets star James Harden (hamstring tightness) is out tonight against the Jazz. – 2:00 PM

Sarah Todd @NBASarah
James Harden will not play for the Nets tonight – 1:59 PM

Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Nets rule James Harden out for tonight’s game due to left hamstring tightness. – 1:59 PM

Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Brooklyn Nets star James Harden (hamstring) is out tonight against the Utah Jazz, team says. – 1:59 PM

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Nets are listing James Harden as out for tonight’s game vs. Utah. – 1:58 PM

Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The Nets say James Harden is out tonight at Utah with left hamstring tightness. – 1:58 PM

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Nets‘ James Harden is listed out tonight due to left hamstring tightness. – 1:58 PM

Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Fatigue, hand strain some reasons for James Harden’s #Nets struggles nypost.com/2022/02/03/fat… via @nypostsports – 9:41 PM

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Now on @njdotcom
N.J. native Karl-Anthony Towns, Nets star James Harden among NBA All-Star reserves nj.com/nets/2022/02/n… – 8:33 PM

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
NBA All-Star reserves chosen, including James Harden of the Nets and NJ native Karl-Anthony Towns pic.twitter.com/sfRRF1r9vs – 8:18 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Chris Paul, James Harden headline All-Star Game reserves nba.nbcsports.com/2022/02/03/chr… – 7:43 PM

Jon Hamm @JonMHamm
I think Jarrett Allen is more deserving of an All-Star spot than Harden pic.twitter.com/CEARRJIoFC – 7:27 PM

Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
#Nets guard James Harden joins Jimmy Butler, Darius Garland, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum and Fred VanVleet as Eastern Conference reserves in the #NBA All-Star game. It’s his tenth straight, averaging 22 points, ten assists and eight boards. – 7:24 PM

Josh Robbins @JoshuaBRobbins
2021-22 East All-Star Game reserves: Jimmy Butler, Darius Garland, James Harden, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum and Fred VanVleet. – 7:22 PM

Joe Vardon @joevardon
Jimmy Butler, Darius Garland, James Harden, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum, and Fred VanVleet are headed to Cleveland as All-Star reserves from the East. Garland, of the host Cavs, is making his first appearance. @The Athletic – 7:22 PM

Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
2022 NBA All-Star reserves
East
– Jimmy Butler
– Darius Garland
– James Harden
– Zach LaVine
– Khris Middleton
– Jayson Tatum
– Fred VanVleet
West
– Devin Booker
– Luka Doncic
– Rudy Gobert
– Draymond Green
– Donovan Mitchell
– Chris Paul
– Karl-Anthony Towns – 7:22 PM

Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
The 2022 Eastern Conference All-Star reserves are Jimmy Butler, Darius Garland, James Harden, Zach LaVine, Kris Middleton, Jayson Tatum and Fred VanVleet. – 7:22 PM

Kevin Chouinard @KLChouinard
East reserves:
Jimmy Butler
Darius Garland
James Harden
Zach LaVine
Khris Middleton
Jayson Tatum
Fred VanVleet – 7:21 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
NBA East All-Star reserves: Jimmy Butler, Darius Garland, James Harden, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum, Fred VanVleet – 7:21 PM

Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
The Wizards do not have an All-Star this year, barring an injury replacement. Bradley Beal did not make it after being a starter last season.
East reserves: J Butler, D Garland, J Harden, Z LaVine, K Middleton, J Tatum, F VanVleet – 7:21 PM

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
2022 NBA East All-Star reserves: Jimmy Butler, Darius Garland, James Harden, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum, Fred VanVleet. – 7:21 PM

Barbara Barker @meanbarb
James Harden will be in his 10th straight All-Star game. – 7:19 PM

Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
There are some tough calls on East A-S reserves. I’d say LaVine, Tatum, Harden are in for sure. Butler, Jaylen Brown, Garland, Middleton, VanVleet or Siakam, LaMelo or Bridges all have strong cases. #NBA – 6:39 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
My All-Star choices
East:
G: Fred VanVleet
G: Zach LaVine
FC: Jimmy Butler
FC: Jayson Tatum
FC: Khris Middleton
WC: James Harden
WC: Jrue Holiday
West:
G: Chris Paul
G: Devin Booker
FC: Rudy Gobert
FC: Draymond Green
FC: Karl-Anthony Towns
WC: Donovan Mitchell
WC: Luka Doncic – 6:32 PM

More on this storyline

The Philadelphia 76ers and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey had been plotting to wait for the offseason to chase James Harden as a free agent and save Ben Simmons for a potential deal, but he may not have to wait that long after all. -via The Athletic / February 4, 2022

Still, there’s no urgency for Nets officials, who have had the steadfast belief that the current core, as is, has the means necessary for a championship. However, it’s believed that an opening exists should an offer elevate the team and make the roster more well-rounded as the franchise pursues a championship. -via The Athletic / February 4, 2022

But beyond availability, sources say there have been growing concerns over Harden’s playing style — one of dominant ball-handling and his own pace from his MVP and All-NBA days in Houston — that contrasts with the free-flowing, organic approach from his two co-stars. -via The Athletic / February 4, 2022