Stephen A. Smith talks Daryl Morey and James Harden, but the report itself is a big ol’ nothing burger

Stephen A. Smith was on First Take today rambling about god knows what, but of course, something related to the Philadelphia 76ers was brought up. Smith was talking about how the Nets need to get rid of Kyrie Irving. Smith then continued to say that Daryl Morey was “lurking in Philadelphia” and still wanted to acquire James Harden from the Nets. 

At the end of the video, he stated the following: 

“Now you might lose James Harden because Daryl Morey is lurking in Philadelphia. Don’t think for one second that Daryl Morey ain’t trying to get his hands on James Harden.I’m telling you what I know”

Here’s the full video: 

"The Brooklyn Nets need to get rid of Kyrie Irving. He got to go!"

—@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/hdFSTUI5jW

— First Take (@FirstTake) October 12, 2021

James Harden has a player option after this season for $47 million. Harden, then has the ability to accept the player option and return to the Nets. It’s likely that Harden will decline the player option and instead, chase a super max contract with either the Brooklyn Nets or another team in free agency. 

As for the Brooklyn Nets, if you’re dealing with Kyrie Irving already, who has proven to be anything but reliable, then there is absolutely no way you let James Harden walk after this season. 

To wrap it all up, yes, I’m sure Daryl Morey is keeping an eye on James Harden in Brooklyn. I’m sure there are a ton of teams interested in someone who is coming up on a player option that has the opportunity to land a super max deal. Stephen A. Smith isn’t wrong, but it’s really a bad report to begin with. 

Nothing burger from Stephen A. Smith. Enjoy the rest of your day. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6WcUIxcLxqbNID2h59eBmc?si=PxAOD7rAQveuUisVlOpqdg&dl_branch=1