Harden wants to leave and the Sixers need a replacement. With Nurse in Philly and FVV a free agent, he seems like a natural fit.

Harden doesn't make much sense in Toronto, though, so we need a third team.

The Clippers are supposedly Harden's top choice, but their assets don't really give Philly or Toronto what they want.

Enter Portland. Portland has too many guards and needs forwards. Simons is the odd man out, and likely needs to be moved because Portland can't have the fourth guard in their rotation making $24M. The Clippers have forwards to spare. Portland adds a couple of solid frontcourt veterans, while also adding a future pick, as an asset for the post-Dame years.

Who says no?