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Shams Charania reports that the Nets —and 76ers— are preparing final offers for James Harden with Brooklyn willing to part with ALL its first round picks going forward, seven in total.
The Rockets are sifting through finalists — Nets and 76ers — for a James Harden deal that could culminate quickly, with Brooklyn preparing an offer of all its future first-round picks and pick swaps, per sources.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 13, 2021
Story on @TheAthletic with @sam_amick: https://t.co/tTYIRVG8Xg
Adrian Wojnarowski later confirmed the news, adding that Harden, a former MVP, eight time All-Star and three-time scoring champ, did not practice Wednesday.
The Rockets are planning to keep Harden away until a trade is done --- with front office weighing best final offers from Brooklyn and Philadelphia, sources tell @ramonashelburne and me. Process is moving quickly now. https://t.co/YDZkAKcG5d
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2021
Woj also reported that trade talks had picked up even before Harden’s comments.
Houston's talks with Sixers and Nets gathered momentum in recent days -- even before James Harden's news conference on Tuesday night, sources tell @ramonashelburne and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2021
What do the Rockets want from the 76ers? Marc Stein tweets the price is high.
The Rockets are pursuing a trade package from the 76ers that would be headlined by Ben Simmons and Tyrese Maxey, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 13, 2021
Stein later reported that the 76ers are likely to be in the lead position, tweeting, “League sources say nothing has happened — yet — to dislodge the Sixers from their long-held position as the favorites to acquire Harden.”
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reports a deal could be imminent.
Teams involved in James Harden talks getting indications Rockets are preparing to move quickly towards a deal, league sources told @SInow —possibly as soon as today.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) January 13, 2021
Renewed reporting on Harden trade rumors began overnight with Harden telling a post-game Zoom call that he didn’t think there was any “fix” for him and the Rockets.
“We’re just not good enough,” Harden said after the Lakers blew out the Rockets. “Chemistry, talent-wise, everything. And it was clear the last few games. From the beginning of the game, they’re just a veteran team obviously, championship team, and one of the best teams we have in this league.”
A trade involving all the Nets future picks and swaps —seven in total— would not do the job. Players would have to be added on the Nets end to meet cap requirements. Brooklyn would have come up with $33 million in contracts ... or use a third team.
I had been told that the #Rockets front office has not been enamored with the players the #Nets have to offer, so a third team was being looped in. Uncertain how Harden's comments last night and Irving's personal issues this week have impacted that. #NBA
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) January 13, 2021
Earlier in the day, Nick Wright reported the Nets are offering anyone but Kevin Durant in a proposed deal.
News: There has been legitimate movement on the Harden front.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) January 13, 2021
Brooklyn is prepared to offer *anyone* that Houston wants aside from Durant for Harden, as well as 3 1sts & swaps.
BK willing to make the same bet it once made on KG & Pierce, but on Harden.
There were rumors reported by The Athletic earlier Wednesday that Kyrie Irving could be included in a trade “centered” on the two superstar guards. Irving is on a prolonged “personal leave” that has already reached four games.
Specifically, here’s how a trade of all the Nets picks COULD work...
The Nets own all their own first round picks moving forward, with no extra first rounders. You can only trade picks up to 7 years out. In theory they could offer?
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 13, 2021
21 - trade
22 - swap
23 - trade
24 - swap
25 - trade
26 - swap
27 - trade
The Bucks sent five picks and swaps to the Pelicans in the preseason.