ESPN reports contradict one another in Nets-Sixers James Harden trade talks
Who’s to believe at this point? James Harden is still a member of the Brooklyn Nets but will he still be after the next 24 hours? Reports are flying around from all different directions, including ESPN.
On ESPN’s morning show Get Up on Wednesday, Brian Windhorst said that both Brooklyn and Philadelphia are “absolutely” engaged in trade discussions. On the other hand, Adrian Wojnarowski said on ESPN’s ‘Greeny’ radio show that the two teams are “nowhere” near to getting a deal done.
The Harden trade debacle is going to come down to who has better sources. Of course, the majority of Nets fans are on Wojnarowski’s side because if he’s right, the likelihood of Harden being sent to the Sixers is low.
Sean Marks and Daryl Morey are in the midst of a duel and both are at the top of their game. The two organizations are either trying to come to an argument on who/what to send with Ben Simmons (team Windhorst) or the talks aren’t gaining much traction at all (team Wojnarowski).
Woj said Nets and Philly arent talking, Windhorst is saying they’re in deep conversation.
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) February 9, 2022
Im not believing anything until its done.
Woj and Windhorst have differing Brooklyn Nets-Sixers James Harden beliefs.
Wojnarowski is an NBA insider for ESPN and Windhorst covers the NBA for ESPN.com.
It’s mind-boggling how opposite the two’s reports have been, especially because the two are employed by the same outlet.
Windhorst said:
“There is definite motivation from both sides to make this fall into place. The Sixers were out there yesterday having trade negotiations with other teams looking to clear roster spots, looking to move other players on their roster, including Tobias Harris in what looks like ancillary moves to support a James Harden arrival.”
He went on to say that if a trade were to happen, Brooklyn’s still asking for Simmons and two to three other pieces, and apparently, that’s not a deal that Philadelphia wants to make.
Full clip from @WindhorstESPN on where the Harden-Simmons talks stand.
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) February 9, 2022
Says the Nets want 2-3 pieces on top of Simmons, whether players or draft picks. pic.twitter.com/XOvpZDPASC
Windhorst “suspects” that a deal is going to be made but his coworker isn’t on the same page.
Wojnarowski said:
“Right now there’s no negotiation going on between Philadelphia and Brooklyn. The trade deadline is tomorrow at 3 and it can change. The idea that they’ve been going back and forth that’s been surmised by some, I don’t believe that to be accurate.”
Wojnarowski went on to say that the Nets still believe that their best shot at winning a title involves Harden, a healthy Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving.
If Harden is still with Brooklyn after tomorrow, the team’s going to have to find a way to get him back on board with their mission. According to Windhorst, the 10-time All-Star doesn’t want to be in New York City anymore.
James Harden is pushing for a trade and is 'screaming in every way he possibly can' to get out of Brooklyn, per @WindhorstESPN. https://t.co/D7l2VI9IZq pic.twitter.com/GcFCoivKjF
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 9, 2022
All that’s left to do is to wait and see what’s left behind after the Harden-Sixers smoke clears. If time reveals that Harden’s still with the Nets, they’ll have two months to get back on track before the playoffs start in mid-April.
Until then, it’s Wojnarowski vs. Windhorst. Who will come up victorious?
