Sixers Rumors: Bill Simmons pegs Philadelphia as most likely landing spot for Bradley Beal this offseason
With a new head coach in place in Nick Nurse, the next order of business for the Sixers is figuring out what they want to do with All-Star point guard James Harden.
The latest revelation we’ve heard from Harden’s camp is that he’s torn between resigning with Philadelphia, or heading back to Houston. As reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
At this point, it seems like most Sixers fans are out on Harden. He’s certainly still a very good player, but the way the season ended, coupled with his reported infatuation with returning to the Rockets, has left a sour taste in fans’ mouths.
If Harden does end up leaving for Houston, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons offered a potential solution for Philadelphia: trade for Washington Wizards All-Star Bradley Beal. On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Simmons explained why the Sixers are the most likely team to land Beal this offseason.
Simmons on the potential Bradley Beal to Sixers trade
“My guess, my bet, the odds on favorite—I would put them -200 would be Philadelphia,” Simmons said. “My odds on favorite is Philadelphia and I don’t even think it’s close. Beal and [Joel] Embiid, they’re friends. Embiid was trying to get him two years ago, which I kept telling people on this podcast. They ended up going with [James] Harden instead, Embiid was pushing hard for Beal. Harden is going to leave.
“If you’re Philly and you are going to lose Harden and now I have this shooter, that’s probably a better fit with Embiid anyway. And I have Tobias Harris on an expiring contract, couple future draft picks I could probably throw that I could probably find in my pocket somewhere. And, if you’re Washington it’s like, you know what we got out of the Beal contract. We have Harris as an expiring and we’re re-booting everything.”
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Beal to the Sixers has been rumored for a few years now. As Simmons mentions, Embiid was pushing for the team to acquire Beal during the Ben Simmons fiasco back in 2021. Daryl Morey opted to go with his guy (Harden) and we know how it all played out after that.
The way Simmons envisions this trade, it would make sense for both sides. If/when Harden leaves, the Sixers will need someone to pick up the slack while still contending for a championship. Beal checks that box.
In Washington’s case, they’re likely going to hit the rebuild button sooner rather than later. Beal still has four years remaining on his current deal and at 29 years old, he probably won’t want any parts of a rebuild. Giving the Wizards Tobias Harris – who’s on an expiring contract – along with some future picks could be enough to entice Washington.
A core of Embiid, Beal, Maxey, and Tucker sounds great on paper. Nevertheless, I’m not sure it’s enough to take the Sixers to where they want to go.
Suffice to say, Morey has his work cut out for him this offseason.
Mandatory Credit: ESPN
