Philadelphia 76ers: James Harden is becoming too toxic

The Philadelphia 76ers need to realize that James Harden is becoming too toxic.

Trading Ben Simmons for James Harden has been a hot topic all across Philadelphia 76ers‘ fandom. Even here at The Sixer Sense, there have been opposing views on swapping the two stars. However, recent news surrounding Harden and the Houston Rockets has made it clear that the superstar is becoming too toxic to include Ben Simmons in a deal for him.

Why Harden is too toxic for the Sixers.

In a past report by Tim MacMahon of ESPN, he outlined how Harden would have so much power within the organization. He would be late to practices, film sessions, bus rides, and air plan flights. He’d also have control of personal such as player transactions and coaching changes. He also parties, but that in itself isn’t a sign of being toxic.

Then he requested a trade and Houston made it clear that they weren’t going trade him unless they got equal value for him. This is fair, but as a result, Harden didn’t report to training camp on time and went to public places without a mask on. Which resulted in him having to pass COVID-19 protocols before joining the team. When he did rejoin Houston, he was out of shape as former player Kendrick Perkins pointed out in a joking manner on ESPN.

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However, that’s not enough to scare off some Sixers fans from wanting to swap the former MVP for 76ers star playmaker. However, there have been even more recent events that should put off Philly fans from wanting including Simmons in any Harden deal.

James Harden recently threw a ball at a rookie, per Shams Charania of The Athletic (link in tweet requires subscription). On top of that now Harden is being investigated by the NBA and the Rockets for attending a strip club maskless this past week, which is obviously against league rules for COVID-19, according to MacMahon.

Harden is showing a level of unprofessionalism that should scare off the Sixers from even considering including Ben Simmons in any future trade talks. Philly shouldn’t give up a young star for a guy who has proven to be awful when he’s not happy with a situation.

What’s to say he won’t do this with the 76ers in a season or two? It’s too big of a risk for Philly to give up Simmons for. This along, with other reasons I’ve outlined in a past article, are enough reasons why Simmons shouldn’t be traded for Harden.

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Harden is becoming too toxic for the Philadelphia 76ers to consider giving up Simmons or anything/anybody worth of value in a trade to acquire him.