76ers make Ben Simmons available in Harden talks, 'nowhere close' to deal

While the Sixers have signaled a willingness to include All-Star guard Ben Simmons in trade packages for Harden, those talks have come nowhere close to a deal, sources said. 

Source: Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN

ANALYSIS: Considering the Houston Rockets' asking price for their former MVP, a return with Simmons would be a colossal win for first-time general manager Rafael Stone and chairman Tilman Fertitta. These talks reportedly haven't gone anywhere, but that is a legitimate starting point for one of the best players in the NBA.