However, Daryl Morey, the President of Basketball Operations for the 76ers, is reportedly hesitating to green light the trade, potentially complicating the deal’s progression. The 76ers are inclined to part ways with Harden, unloading a significant contract while acquiring players with expiring deals and multiple draft assets. This strategic move would free up valuable cap space for the 76ers in the upcoming free agency, enabling them to target high-impact players who could elevate their performance.

The reluctance to accept this trade offer raises questions about the Sixers’ expectations for Harden’s value in the trade market. With Harden’s pending free agency on the horizon, coupled with the contractual situations of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the 76ers face a complex puzzle in determining their future direction.

The hesitancy to commit to a max contract for Harden has sparked discussions about the team’s approach to player valuation and trade negotiations. While seeking a beneficial return for the star player, the 76ers find themselves in a delicate balance, grappling with the potential risk of losing Harden without receiving significant compensation.

As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the 76ers as they navigate a crucial decision regarding James Harden’s future. The outcome of these negotiations could profoundly influence the team’s trajectory and set the stage for an intriguing free agency period.

James Harden looked like he wanted to get out of there. He didn’t even look to shoot the ball in the second half.

Will the Sixers give Harden a big extension after trading Ben Simmons and Seth Curry for him? Will Harden be signed and traded for someone like Bradley Beal or DeAaron Fox? We’ll see.

Here is Embiid saying James isn’t the same anymore:

"Obviously, I'm sure since we got him, everybody expected the Houston James Harden, but that's not who he is anymore."

–– Joel Embiid on James Harden after Game 6 pic.twitter.com/e5SsMHCGBZ

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 13, 2022

All of that is fun to see how it plays out but there is a deeper issue at hand. BOTH PLAYERS numbers are retired by their new franchise.

James Harden’s #13 is retired on the 76ers.

Ben Simmons’ #25 is retired on the Nets.

It is time. The NBA needs to be the first league to implement this. Ban retiring numbers. This is out of hand. Create a patch that honors the legendary players but put the damn number back in circulation. As a fan I’m tired of seeing players in numbers I know they’d rather not wear. It’s just a bad business practice to take product off the shelf.

Don’t get me started on how bad the NFL is with their new single digit number rules. Just un-retire the numbers and enforce the uniform code. I don’t know about you but I’m already tired of seeing defensive players running around in #3 and #1.

That’s just my thoughts on this. Basketball wise the Nets fleeced the Sixers because they got two first round picks on top of Seth Curry and Andre Drummond being added to the pot. Ultimately Brooklyn knew that Daryl Morey loved James Harden too much and the party that can’t walk away will lose the trade every time. But that’s just the trade on paper. We still have to see how it all plays out.

Until then, let the guys wear their darn jersey numbers. Please!

This is worse than we have ever seen Fultz's free throw form look. pic.twitter.com/FhCYpNpd5b

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) November 13, 2018

Hopefully he gets it right.

Trust the process.

Here is the trade breakdown:

The Celtics traded:

2017 #1 overall (Markelle Fultz)

The 76ers traded:

2017 #3 overall
2018 1st rounder via LAL – unless it falls between 2-5 then…
2019 1st rounder via SAC

This gives the 76ers a guaranteed asset going forward locked into a rookie deal with Joel Embiid going into his last contract year. It also gives them an explosive back court and a guard to complement last year’s #1 draft pick Ben Simmons.

#TrustTheProcess

Since then the internet (I.E. Drake Stans) has decided Meek has taken a “L” because Whataburger tweeted Meek. This is all despite not one, not two, (*Lebron voice now*) not three, but FOUR Quentin Miller written Drake reference tracks have dropped.

I guess hip hop isn’t about facts or authenticity anymore and some of us just have to accept that. Which is why 50 cent is “beating” Meek in a beef in which again 50 has done nothing to disprove Meek’s disses except upload memes.

Is that what we’re doing in the streets now? Winning beefs with memes?

I think Waka Flocka put it best in this video:

Do you agree with #wakaflocka… MEME WISE .. 50 >> MEEK MILL but MUSIC WISE .. #meekmill > #50cent ??

A video posted by DJ Akademiks (@iamakademiks) on Jan 21, 2016 at 3:12pm PST

For those of you that remember Meek’s also been fighting a lengthy court case during this whole ordeal as well, and it looks like he’s trying to get back on the right path in life in general.

Meek’s announced that he’s teaming up with the 76ers on a community outreach program:

#meekmill teams up with the #sixers for some community outreach efforts with the kids.

A video posted by DJ Akademiks (@iamakademiks) on Jan 22, 2016 at 11:03am PST

This is for the children of Philly but THEY will find a way to hate. Remember, THEY don’t to see us win. THEY don’t want to see us give back to the community but we’re going to give back regardless.

There will be no comments on this post so THEY cannot hate on this. Major key.

To date Embiid has appeared in zero career games for the Sixers since being picked third overall in the 2014 draft. Embiid has been ruled out for the 2015-2016 season with a broken foot, but the bigger question is will he ever play in a Sixers uniform?

“Late last night I got a confirmation from another source that I trust, so that’s kind of why it’s a little bit underplayed in the paper today,” Cooney told Angelo Cataldi and the 94WIP Morning Show on Monday morning.
“From what the sources told me, it’s broken again. Absolutely, you have to be nervous about it. Then this next surgery will be very interesting, find out exactly what they’ll go in and do. Hopefully the Sixers will come out and speak of it after it is done.”

Jahlil Okafor hasn’t even picked out a jersey number yet and it seems he’s already over this team. Body language never lies. Just check out the video of him slamming this jersey down in disgust:

Jahlil Okafor: "I got a text from @JoelEmbiid last night saying, 'Welcome to Philly.' So he kind of jinxed me." pic.twitter.com/F0wslA8mSw

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) June 26, 2015

The young man doesn’t seem too enthused about this situation:

76ers new logos below:

The new uniforms will officially be unveiled June 18.