Nothin' But Nets
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3 reasons why the Nets won the James Harden-Ben Simmons trade

By Jordanna Clark

Jan 6, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Seth Curry (31) high fives guard Ben Simmons (25) after a three pointer against the Washington Wizards during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Seth Curry (31) high fives guard Ben Simmons (25) after a three pointer against the Washington Wizards during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brooklyn Nets, Ben Simmons, Seth Curry
Seth Curry, Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

2: Gained a shooter/defender combo

Marks rolled the dice and picked up an elite defensive talent in Simmons and a shooter in Curry. Let’s not forget about Drummond, who will help the Nets in the post.

Simmons was named to the NBA’s All-Defense First Team in 2020 but in his final games with the Sixers, he struggled on the offensive end. Nonetheless, he’ll give Brooklyn the defensive presence that it needs. Not to mention, Simmons will relieve the workload that Kevin Durant’s undertaken on both ends of the floor.

We all know that Simmons is a poor 3-point shooter but then again, he hasn’t played in a game since June. Unless a miracle occurred during his “time off” though, the Nets won’t be able to rely on him from behind the arc.

But there’s where Curry comes in. If you need more evidence, read his last name again. In the 45 games that Curry played in for Philadelphia this year, he shot 40% from the 3-point line.

As a team, Brooklyn’s shot 35.2% from long this season, which is the 15th best in the league. The teams that are below the Nets in the rankings aren’t playoff-level teams. Without Harris, Brooklyn’s suffered but when he returns the Nets will have him, Curry, and Patty Mills. That’s an absolute upgrade.

Brooklyn filled in its gaps on both ends of the floor and only had to give up Millsap, who has been a non-factor for the Nets this year, with Harden in the process. Biding adieu to Harden wasn’t an easy decision but in the end, it’s what he wanted and Marks upgraded Brooklyn’s talent in the best possible way.