Ben Simmons has not had a great last year and a half. During the 2021 NBA playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks repeatedly targeted him and exploited his lack of free-throw shooting skill late in the games. As days went by, the Simmons-Sixers situation got really uncomfortable, and both parties reached an agreement that saw Ben Simmons go to the Brooklyn Nets, while Harden was sent from Brooklyn to Philadelphia.

While Simmons is yet to play for the Nets, Harden has already begun his stint with the 76ers. Safe to say his first season with the franchise did not end well.

Problems galore

James Harden appears to be a shell of himself during this season. Injuries have taken a toll on his body. One of the problems which the 76ers had with Simmons was his lack of jump shot and long-range shooting ability. It all came to a point when he passed up an open dunk against the Hawks in a winner takes all game 7. The aftermath of that game fractured his relationship with the team and the city of Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, Harden also quit on the Houston Rockets and was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He enjoyed a productive year last season but since then has been continuously hampered by injuries. When he was traded to the 76ers, it was hoped that he would rediscover his form, but that has certainly been not the case. After a dismal performance from the ‘Beard’ in Game 6, Simmons did something that appears to be a subtle shot at the 2018 NBA MVP.

He liked a tweet where Skip Bayless ripped Harden for his performance.

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Uncertain future for both of them

Simmons hasn’t played basketball in more than a year. He couldn’t suit up for the Nets this season, and there are doubts whether he has a future there or not. Simmons was supposed to be suffering from a back injury which kept him from the playoffs. We can only hope he is healthy and ready to go next season.

Harden has a different problem to solve. He will certainly demand a max extension from the 76ers and it remains to be seen whether they will offer him that. Because his on-court production has significantly reduced. The risk is here that Harden may walk for free and after giving up all those assets, 76ers won’t want that. Harden and Simmons face an uncertain offseason and it might just be the beginning.

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