Ben Simmons linked to blockbuster trade for James Harden

Aussie basketball superstar Ben Simmons has once again had his name linked with a league-rattling move as the season draws closer.

Ben Simmons and James Harden

The Philadelphia 76ers haven’t tasted a great deal of playoff success behind their two superstars in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

After a first round exit from the 2020 NBA Playoffs, the Sixers made sweeping changes to both the front office and the roster.

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Fans have grown restless of their inability to get the job done when it counts and it could lead to a major trade being done if the Sixers struggle out of the gate.

James Harden has made his intentions clear he wants out of Houston with four teams being linked to the megastar.

The Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat haven’t been shy about their hopes of landing the star, but it’s the Sixers who have emerged as the leading candidate.

New York Times reporter Marc Stein notes the Sixers are the “most likely destination” for Harden, with Aussie star Simmons being the key piece to get the job done.

“As the NBA pre-season begins tonight Philadelphia ranks as the most likely destination when the Rockets eventually reach the point of trading James Harden, league sources say,” Stein tweeted.

“The Rockets insist (for now) they will not trade Harden. The Sixers insist (for now) they will not trade Ben Simmons. But sources say the familiarity between the front offices can ultimately defuse any lingering tension from Daryl Morey’s departure from Houston to Philadelphia.”

Simmons could be on the outs.

New Sixers General Manager Daryl Morey was the man who brought Harden to the Rockets and now he seems intent on bringing him to Philadelphia.

Morey has previously dubbed Harden the best offensive player he’d ever seen and pairing him with Embiid could be the key to unlock the ultimate success for the Sixers.

Of course Morey has been busy since landing in Philly and has built a roster far more suited to the skillset of both big men.

Big man Al Horford and his absurd $A149m salary was sent out the door to Oklahoma with the 76ers receiving wing players Danny Green and Terrance Ferguson in return.

Next came the move to send the underperforming Josh Richardson to Dallas in exchange for sharpshooter Seth Curry.

The moves open the floor up for Simmons and Embiid to work in the paint by surrounding them with quality shooters from beyond the arc.

Joel and Ben haven’t been able to get it done.

He has also previously stated the two stars would be on the roster for a very long time and they wanted to build around them.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania however reports the Rockets could hold out and see how things unfold in Philly to begin the season before looking to offload Harden.

“In theory, however, Houston could wait out the potential availability of Simmons should Philadelphia get off to a slow start,” he wrote.

A slow start in Philly, along with a restless fanbase, could see the team opt to make a league-shaking move and ship Simmons out to try and lure Harden into the Eastern Conference.

Originally published as Ben Simmons linked to blockbuster trade for James Harden