Rumor Report: Sixers Ranked as Likely Destination for Harden

The start of the 2020-2021 NBA season begins on Friday with the first slate of preseason games. As teams prepare to make the final adjustments to their rosters, one name is still floating around to shift the landscape of the NBA.

James Harden has now reported to training camp in Houston, and the trade rumors continue to swirl. Marc Stein of the New York Times has reported that the Sixers are the most likely destination for the former MVP.

The Sixers have had ties to Harden for what feels like the entirety of this short offseason, and since the hiring of Daryl Morey the rumors have only increased. Ben Simmons continues to be the key name thrown around as the headline piece of a Sixers-Rockets trade.

Despite the multiple rumors that have emerged about this potential deal, the Sixers do not seem intent on moving on from Simmons. The team's focus on building around their two young superstars makes it unlikely a deal like this becomes reality.

Although players like James Harden do not become available all the time, it does not seem like the Sixers are going to make a push for him. When Morey and head coach Doc Rivers arrived in Philadelphia, they both said Embiid and Simmons were the key reason that made them choose here.

The ability to coach and build around two young superstars as they enter their primes is a dream for most executives and coaches. Morey and Rivers seemed poised to build around the two All-Stars, not split them up.

As long as Ben Simmons is the key asking price in a Harden deal, it does not seem like the Sixers are going to entertain it.

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