Ex-Harden teammate details why Sixers deal rumors are real

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There's buzz flying every which way these days about James Harden's future with the Nets and whether or not he wants to leave - either at the upcoming NBA trade deadline or this offseason.

The latest nugget of interesting info comes from former James Harden teammate Kendrick Perkins, who now and then drops "Perk Bombs" that scoop even the most plugged-in NBA insiders because of his relationships around the league from his playing days.

Perkins joined the Thunder during the 2010-11 season and spent the entire 2011-12 season with Harden in OKC, losing in the Finals to LeBron James' Heat squad, so he has a bit of a history with Harden. I'll listen.

RELATED: The James Harden-Nets situation doesn't sound too solid

Here's what Perkins said he's heard from Harden's camp about all this "Beard to Philly?" chatter, from the latest All The Smoke podcast:

"PERKINS: James Harden didn't sign his contract extension. [...] Now James Harden's camp is telling people in Philly, 'We want to come play with Embiid next year.' This ain't no lie, this is facts. But then he tells the Brooklyn Nets' ownership group different."

If we're really talking "facts", as Perk put it, this feels pretty spicy - and substantial. 

Harden has spent plenty of time with a number of big men throughout his career - Steven Adams, Clint Capela, DeAndre Jordan, and now Nic Claxton and LaMarcus Aldridge - but he's never played with anyone at the 5 with the skillset of someone like Embiid. (To be fair, very few players in the history of humanity have the skillset of Embiid.)

Joining up with a soon-to-be-28-year-old megastar who might be the most dominant player in the league and chasing a title together for the next four years would seem to be a pretty enticing opportunity for Harden. We also know that Harden was reportedly open to the idea of playing in Philadelphia last trade deadline, before he opted to be dealt to Brooklyn instead.

As the trade deadline approaches - we're just two weeks out now! - there's probably a reason for all of this very pointed, very particular Harden-to-Philly chatter tumbling about the NBA rumorsphere. 

Is Daryl Morey trying to soften the blow when a deal isn't made at the deadline and the Sixers are still just a fringe contender instead of a real-deal force in the East? Is it Morey trying to force the Nets' hand before the deadline? We can't be certain of the actual intention, but something is certainly afoot.

I've gone back and forth on the idea of investing in a Harden deal, considering the capital you'd have to surrender to land the former MVP, but if Morey can swing it before this year's trade deadline I think I'd be 100% in, cost be darned. 

READ: 3 observations after Embiid goes for 42, Sixers overcome poor start

Harden is still playing at an All-Star level - 22.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 10.1 APG - albeit on his lowest eFG% in seven years. His relative inefficiency probably has something to do with the slapdash supporting cast he's been dealing with (Kevin Durant hurt, Joe Harris hurt, Kyrie Irving not a real player) and the new officiating focuses this season on limiting foul hunting. Put him in the same lineup as MVP-level Embiid and that efficiency (and those assists) jump, I'd wager.

If I'm making this deal in-season, here's what I'm offering if I'm Morey:

PHI receives: J. Harden

BKN receives: B. Simmons, F. Korkmaz, Pistons' 2023 2nd Round Pick

Bummer to see Furkan go, and that Pistons pick could be pretty high in the second round, but it's James Freakin' Harden. Do what you have to do to acquire him and make a run while Embiid is at this level.

We'll see if the Sixers and Nets really have this kind of drama up their sleeves.

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