Rumor Report: Sixers Expected to Pursue James Harden

76ers' fans knew that once the team hired Daryl Morey that trades are something that would follow. This did not take long, as the rumors are starting to swirl a day after he was officially introduced.

Shams Charania of The Athletic has reported that the Sixers are expected to be interested in trading for James Harden. Currently, Houston does not seem open to putting their franchise star on the trading block.

Morey's biggest move during his time in Houston was acquiring Harden from Oklahoma City, so this kind of report isn't shocking. That being said, this does not look like a move that will realistically happen.

Harden is a former MVP who is coming off a season where he averaged 34 PPG and close to eight assists per game. The asking price to acquire a player of his caliber is going to be extremely high. Realistically, a deal like this doesn't happen without parting ways with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

After hearing Morey speak to the media on Monday, it does not look like he has any intentions of moving on from Embiid or Simmons. Houston has been known as a team that does not want to dip into the luxury tax as well, so it is highly unlikely they will want to take on the Horford and Harris contracts.

Trading for Harden for obviously be a dream scenario for the Sixers. He would give them the shot creator on the perimeter they have missed since the departure of Jimmy Butler, not to mention would give them a great pick-and-roll guard to pair with Embiid and Simmons. It just doesn't look like a move the team can realistically pull off.

Daryl Morey has been known to pull off big moves in the past, so I guess anything is on the table. If he could pull off this move and retain Embiid and Simmons, it will be a great first impression to the city of Philadelphia.

Kevin McCormick is the 76ers insider for 97.3 ESPN and 76ers editor for Sportstalkphilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevinMcC973.