Sixers, Rockets have discussed Matisse Thybulle in a James Harden deal
The Houston Rockets are looking to finally move on from the James Harden era as their superstar guard has repeatedly expressed his desire to be traded. It got worse on Tuesday night as it appeared that he had a farewell to the city after they had a bad loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith then reported on Wednesday morning’s episode of First Take that Harden has a desire to be traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. He has a relationship with team president Daryl Morey after all of their time together in Houston, but the Sixers have not been willing to include young star Ben Simmons in any deals.
On the Houston side, the Tuesday incident seemed to be the last straw as they are now pushing hard to get him out of there. The Athletic and The Stadium’s Shams Charania reports that the Rockets are in talks with the Sixers, as well as the Brooklyn Nets, in Harden discussions.
Charania reports that young Matisse Thybulle has also entered the fray in talks:
The Rockets have pursued a 76ers package centered on All-NBA star Ben Simmons, sources said. Boston and Toronto have also expressed interest at various points. Simmons, a two-time All-Star, has continued to grow his game on the defensive end of the floor. As far as star talent, the Rockets would be able to acquire a player in Simmons whose talent level may not be available elsewhere.
One player whom the Rockets and 76ers have discussed in potential packages is 2019 first-round pick Matisse Thybulle, with Houston having interest in the defensive-minded forward, sources said. The Rockets have had a steep asking price from all interested teams, and the threshold for Philadelphia — and other contenders — to give up one or multiple first-round picks with young assets is unclear.
Simmons will obviously be the centerpiece, but Thybulle could be an interesting piece for Houston. He was a mainstay in Philadelphia’s rotation as a rookie, but he has been slowed by an injury he suffered in training camp and he was used mostly in a situational defender role. He earned more playing time with the injury to Furkan Korkmaz, but it doesn’t appear that he will be in the rotation regularly.
It remains to be seen how Morey will go about this right now, but a Harden trade could be something that will push the Sixers over the top. He is one of the top scorers in the league, he’s a threat for an explosive triple-double, he’s a former MVP, and his fit next to Joel Embiid could be what they need to get over the top in the East.
