On February 8, Beijing time, rumors about the swap between Harden and Simmons continued, but American commentator Steven A-Smith said in the program that Simmons could not be traded to the Nets, one was because Simmons lacked projection and was not suitable for the Nets, and the other was the combination of Harden + Embiid, which undoubtedly defeated the combination of Durant + Irving + Simmons. In addition, Michael Scotto reported that an anonymous executive said that the Nets would not trade Harden, and they would continue to try in the playoffs this year, perhaps waiting until the summer to trade.
Philadelphia wants to get Harden is already well known, they want to create a "Embiid + Harden" super internal and external duo, and O'Neal also recognizes that such a combination will be the strongest combination of inside and outside after "O'Neal + Kobe".
Philadelphia want to trade Harden, their chip will be Simmons, but they don't want to send players such as Maxi. At present, the Nets are undoubtedly trading Harden before the deadline, but Philadelphia still wants to pursue Harden, even if it continues to pursue this summer.
It's just that Steven A.S. Smith doesn't approve of trading Simmons to the Nets, he thinks it would be one of the stupidest decisions made by management, and Simmons is not suitable for the Nets and the Warriors, so Simmons lacks the ability to shoot and is not suitable for both teams.
Of course, Stephen A. Smith further said that since the Nets and Philadelphia are both in the East and are still a division, the Nets will be an obstacle to Philadelphia's title race once the trade is completed. The combination of "Harden + Embiid" will not be able to beat the combination of "Durant + Irving + Simmons", so Simmons cannot be traded to the Nets.
As for Michael Scotto, the Nets' position is still to keep Harden and let him compete for the championship with Durant, who is recovering from his health, plus Irving, who plays part-time.
According to an anonymous executive in one league, "The Nets are not trading Harden at this time, they will fight again in the playoffs, maybe try to trade Harden this summer." Because the Nets paid too much for Harden to trade, they will have to fight again this season. ”
(Drunken Lying Floating Life)