Woj: Trading for James Harden a ‘Uphill Battle for Philly’

Can Daryl Morey trade for James Harden twice?

While Harden would welcome a move to Philadelphia, its an uphill battle for the Sixers to land the leagues top scorer.

At this point it appears while Philly is in the mix, Harden's focus is on landing in Brooklyn playing with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and the Nets.

One of the reasons ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski says the deal with Philadelphia would be tough to make is Morey leaving Houston and the potential of Harden helping Morey and the Sixers win a title in Philly and not in Houston.

"Its hard to imagine, after Morey left to take over in Philly, the idea of a championship parade someday in Philly with Morey and Harden," explained Wojnarowski. "If Philly offered the best package, you got to do the right thing for your organization. But all things equal, that's an uphill battle for Philly."

So what would the Sixers need to give up to acquire Harden?

Some would suggest it would have to at least start with Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid.

The question there is, do you feel giving up Simmons to get Harden makes your window to win now wider? Can you pair Harden and Embiid and win now?

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Sixers are not interested in moving Simmons for Harden. 

"As far as the Sixers are concerned, unless they’re putting in Ben Simmons, which I’m told they’re not inclined to do right now, I don’t see a deal structure that makes sense for Philly."

Another avenue would be to put together a bigger package that would include Al Horford, Zhaire Smith, Josh Richardson and Mattise Thybulle. Would Houston be interested in that type of package?  The only way something like that happens is if Horford really makes it impossible for Houston to bring him back, and there is no better offer.