The Feb. 10 trade deadline is fast approaching, pushing forth significant chatter around the league concerning several prominent players, including a few All-Star talents.
There is a possibility that some of the game’s biggest names could be on the move before Thursday afternoon. Here are a few players that may have new NBA homes in the coming days.
Philadelphia 76ers Point Guard Ben Simmons
Since last offseason, the three-time All-Star point guard has seen his time with the Philadelphia 76ers surrounded with uncertainty.
Aside from reporting to the team briefly in the preseason, he’s remained away from the team hoping to see his situation resolved. Instead, there has been an utter lack of movement due to the 76ers holding a high asking price for the 25-year-old.
General manager Daryl Morey reportedly wants at least one All-Star level talent in return along with a couple of first-round selections. No team has come near that steep price tag due to Simmons’ decreased value and huge contract as he’s in the second year of his five-year, $177.2 million deal that runs through the 2024-25 campaign without any player or team options.
A recent report from Philly Voice’s Kyle Neubeck revealed that the 76ers have reached out to nine teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards.
The Timberwolves, Trail Blazers and Kings were the most active in looking to acquire Simmons. However, the Cavaliers are likely out of the mix after landing Caris LeVert from the Pacers over the weekend. Cleveland moved Ricky Rubio, a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick and two second-round selections.
Dame for Ben Simmons would be such a perfect fit for both players. Sixers want to win. So does Dame. Blazers have given up. So has Simmons.
— Jonny Loquasto (@JQuasto) February 8, 2022
Philadelphia asked Sacramento for Tyrese Haliburton and De’Aaron Fox, but that proved to be too much in exchange for Simmons. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves could become a viable landing spot, as they are reportedly interested in taking on Tobias Harris, but are unwilling to meet the high price tag for draft picks.
All that makes it likely that Simmons will stay put through the rest of the 2021-22 campaign. During a recent interview on 97.5 The Fanatic, star big man Joel Embiid recently stated that he would be “fine” if Simmons returned to the team.
“Honestly, I’m trying to win. I’m trying to win a championship,” Embiid said via CBS Sports. “Whatever that’s gonna help me achieve that, I’m fine with whatever. I’ve always said that. Obviously, we’re a better team with him on the floor and I’m sure a lot of people agree, even if they don’t want to agree, it doesn’t matter. We still are a better team with him on the floor. So, to me, my goal has always been to win a championship.”
Ultimately, if the 76ers lower their asking price, the team could garner a lucrative trade package from the Timberwolves or Nets.
Projected chance of being traded: 60%
Brooklyn Nets Shooting Guard James Harden
As the Nets fall down the standings to the seventh overall seed in the Eastern Conference after losing eight straight games, the conversation has moved toward Harden’s long-term future.
The 10-time All-Star has had a question mark since electing to enter the season without an extension as he holds a $47.3 million player option for next season.
Harden has hinted that he would like to test free agency for the first time in his career, while various reports have fallen in line with that premise. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant reportedly wants the star guard to remain with the franchise well beyond this season.
Harden has reportedly grown frustrated with his role within the offense, while Kyrie Irving’s part-time role hasn’t rubbed him the right way. It’s become a mixture of issues that have pushed the narrative toward him potentially leaving in free agency this upcoming summer.
Brooklyn has attempted to navigate the waters as conflicting reports have emerged concerning Harden’s availability. The 76ers have been circled as the only realistic landing spot for the 32-year-old as he holds interest in joining the franchise in free agency largely due to his connection to general manager Daryl Morey.
Second year in a row James Harden has become more and more underrated as the trade deadline approaches. Would instantly be the best guard ever to play for the Sixers. Way better player than Beal as well (though Beal is good too).
— Spike Eskin (@SpikeEskin) February 8, 2022
Reports suggest that the 76ers would be willing to offer Ben Simmons in a trade, but that has been rebuffed by the Nets voicing there is no interest in moving Harden. However, the bottom line is that Philadelphia is the biggest threat to lure the star guard away if he does test the open market.
However, the 76ers need to make a plethora of moves to make it happen as the team is scheduled to have $133 million on the books next season. It would first require them to move off Simmons as well as offload Tobias Harris, as he’s in line to make $37.3 million next season. If Harden indicates he wants to sign with Philadelphia, best believe the franchise is doing all it can to make financial room.
Outside of that, there is no other team linked to the star guard as a legitimate landing spot. He would be viewed as a loan for the rest of the season due to his interest in becoming a free agent and desire to play for the 76ers. Any trade would be seen as foolishly offloading assets without any certainty Harden stays.
Beyond that, the Nets are taking a significant risk by keeping him aboard if they do as the team could see him leave without getting anything in return.
Projected chance of being traded: 40%
Lakers Point Guard Russell Westbrook
Westbrook’s first season with the Lakers has been anything but an enjoyable homecoming for the former league MVP.
Instead, he’s struggled mightily to find a comfortable spot as the third scoring option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Significant injuries to James and Davis haven’t helped the situation, but even then Westbrook has struggled with his outside shot, hitting 30.0% from beyond the arc.
He’s also become unusable in late-game situations due to his decision-making and porous shooting. All that has significantly decreased his trade value as the Houston Rockets remain the only team that has expressed interest. The Rockets reportedly would be willing to take on Westbrook’s $44.2 million salary in exchange for John Wall, who has remained away from the team this entire season.
Can the Lakers trade Westbrook before Thursday's deadline?
"You're stuck with Westbrook, but have one safety valve and that's in Houston. John Wall is less of a liability than Russ. LeBron and AD have a better shot with Wall than with 0 rings playing." — @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/CqFM833KOz
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) February 8, 2022
The holdup in the discussion comes from the Lakers’ unwillingness to move their 2027 first-round selection in any move due to the optics. In other words, the Lakers don’t want to look like they had to shell out more a second time to part ways with the nine-time All-Star.
Los Angeles appears poised to keep Westbrook aboard through the rest of the season. Two days after the 33-year-old’s porous performance with five points on 1-of-10 shooting in Saturday’s overtime win over the New York Knicks, James expressed strong support for his teammate.
“At the end of the day, as his brother, we’re all in this together,” James said after practice Monday via ESPN. “We’re all in the foxhole together. There is not one guy who is doing it by themselves. There’s not one guy you can blame over another guy. There’s not one guy who gets the praise over another guy. When we lose, we all lose. When we win, we all win. It’s really that simple.”
Unless the Lakers swallow their pride, Westbrook will finish out the 2021-22 campaign in Los Angeles. The offseason will be a different story as the franchise will likely look to move on from him if he chooses to pick up his $47 million player option.
The only scenario that could see Westbrook remain with the Lakers is if he proves he can be the piece that can lift the franchise toward an NBA title. Los Angeles has 28 regular-season games remaining to make a strong push toward the playoffs, which is more than enough time to showcase that he could fulfill the lofty expectations that were placed upon his arrival.
Projected chance of being traded: 20%
