Depending on source (and, make no mistake, there are many sources), a James Harden-for-Ben Simmons swap is either dead in the water or extremely close to happening heading into today’s trade deadline. Publicly, neither the Nets nor the Sixers are inclined to admit they want to get it done. For a variety of reasons even casual observers can enumerate, there is incentive to push through with it. On the other hand, the fact that mere acknowledgment of it making sense undermines their respective negotiating positions prevents them from exercising the very type of candor that can push it forward.
Indeed, leverage is the name of the game for the Nets, who continue to believe that they’re primed for the hardware once their Big Three of Kevin Durant, and Harden are able to get more reps together. The operative word is, however, “able,” and, so far, its use has been accompanied by wishful thinking. Between injuries, safety protocols, passive-aggressive stances, and sheer bad luck, a consistent and, more importantly, lasting impact from the dream triumvirate has been just that -— a dream.
Bargaining chips are likewise what the Sixers aim to preserve with their coyness. Even as everybody and his mother know that the disgruntled Simmons has most likely played his last game for the red, white, and blue, they insist on treating him as a valuable asset that cannot be offered at a discount. Unfortunately, the tack they have taken has hurt them on the court; instead of flipping him for help as soon as possible in order not to waste Most Valuable Player candidate Joel Embiid’s exertions, they’re keeping him in their pocket like a Get Out of Jail Free card. As Monopoly players know only too well, however, said card is practically worthless: What if they never go to jail?
From the outside looking in, there is a lot of incentive for both sides to pull the trigger on the arrangement. Forget the sweeteners; at this point, both the Nets and the Sixers would benefit from addition by subtraction. And it’s not as if they’re getting scraps in return, however damaged the goods may be. If anything, the on-court fit under retooled rosters works for the would-be partners on the negotiating table. Then again, this is the National Basketball Association, where stranger things have happened, and where pride often gets in the way of propriety. Which is why, when today’s trade deadline passes, no scenario will come as a surprise.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
