It’s finally over. James Harden’s wishes have been granted as he is now reunited with Daryl Morey and is officially a player for the Philadelphia Sixers. But on Thursday at approximately 1:16 p.m. ET, it was the Brooklyn Nets who got the most out of the deal.
Sean Marks and Morey nearly went down to the wire trying to work out a suitable deal for both sides. Philadelphia gave up Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, an unprotected 2022 first-round pick, and a protected 2027 first-round pick. Sheesh.
In return, all that the Nets had to give up was Paul Millsap and a disgruntled Harden, who’s set to enter free agency during the summer for the first time in his 13-year career.
Without a doubt, Brooklyn got better on Thursday, and now that Marks has two new first-round picks to work with, the Nets will likely make another move ahead of the 3 p.m. ET deadline.
BREAKING: The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are finalizing trade sending James Harden for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and draft picks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2022
Brooklyn Nets trade James Harden to Philadelphia for Ben Simmons and company.
Simmons requested a trade from the Sixers during the offseason last year after Philadelphia fell to Atlanta in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The Simmons-Sixers debacle felt like it was going to extend beyond the 2021-22 season but after not playing in a single game for Philadelphia this year, Simmons’ focus is now on making his season debut with 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
Last season, Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in the 58 games that he played in and shot 55.7% from the field. He’ll help to ease the Nets’ woes on both ends of the court.
Curry’s averaging a career-high 15 points and is shooting 48.5% from the field and 40% from the 3-point line. Brooklyn’s struggled to shoot from behind the arc in Joe Harris’ absence and Curry will have the opportunity to jump into the Nets’ starting lineup and make an immediate impact.
Drummond’s averaging 6.1 points and 8.8 rebounds in the 49 games that he’s played in for the Sixers. The six-foot-ten center will be a huge boost on the boards for Brooklyn.
The Nets now have a new Big Three that consists of Simmons, Kevin Durant, and Irving. According to Ramona Shelburne, Simmons and Durant have already spoken.
Sit back and wait to see what else Marks can pull off ahead of the deadline and in the meantime, circle Mar. 10 on your calendars. In 28 days, Brooklyn will play in Philadelphia. Whew.
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