The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers have completed a blockbuster trade shortly ahead of Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline buzzer.
There have been ongoing reports of Nets star James Harden being unhappy in Brooklyn, which reportedly led to him asking for a trade recently, saying that Philadelphia was his preferred destination.
It seems that Harden has gotten what he wants. The Nets have agreed to a deal with the 76ers that will send Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round picks to Brooklyn in exchange for Harden and Paul Millsap.
The Brooklyn Nets are trading James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2022
The Nets are including Paul Millsap in the deal too, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/yTzxKqH99q
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2022
Here are some reactions to the monumental trade:
*Ben Simmons hasn't played an NBA game since June 2021. He still ends up headlining a trade for James Harden.
*Harden forced Houston to trade him in January 2021 and forced Brooklyn to trade him 13 months later … after just 16 games beside KD and Kyrie.#DealZone #thisleague https://t.co/Gcgy6AsGNz
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 10, 2022
Nets get an elite defender in Ben Simmons, spacing with Seth Curry, and a bruiser in Andre Drummond.
AND… they recouped 2 of 4 picks they traded in last year’s Harden trade.
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) February 10, 2022
Harden-Simmons trade getting done might open the door for a number of other moves…
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) February 10, 2022
.@JoelEmbiid tweeted this photo after the reported Ben Simmons-James Harden trade. pic.twitter.com/943Z1uMT1Y
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 10, 2022
This is a great haul for the Nets.
Simmons hasn’t played a game this season for the 76ers, due to his well-documented unhappiness with the organization. It should be assumed that the Nets wouldn’t make this trade without feeling confident that Simmons would be ready to play for them (at least relatively soon). According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Simmons “will continue to work with his therapist to get mentally ready to play in Brooklyn.”
Ben Simmons will continue to work with his therapist to get mentally ready to play in Brooklyn. “It’s a work in progress,” according to one source close to him. But he’s thrilled with the change of scenery and has already spoken to Kevin Durant. https://t.co/rVpErjw5Oa
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 10, 2022
There are also reports that the Nets may try and use these picks for more trades before the deadline ends.
The Brooklyn Nets are still working to be aggressive in more deal-making today, armed with two new first-round picks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2022
Given that Harden was planning on opting out of his player-option to test out free agency anyway, getting back Simmons, Drummond, and Curry for him could certainly be huge for the Nets playoff hopes this season.
The 76ers get a star to pair with center Joel Embiid, which could be just what they need to make a deep playoff run this year.
With the end of Harden’s time in Brooklyn, the big three of Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving may just be one of the greatest “what ifs” in NBA history.
The Nets Big 3 will be one of the biggest 'What Ifs' in NBA history pic.twitter.com/Qbbuhbgi0r
— SB Nation (@SBNation) February 10, 2022
Ultimately this trade has a ton of pieces, and it will be interesting to see this season who came out the true winner of the deal moving forward.
