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, Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by: Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

1: Boosted their championship aspirations

NBA fans deserve to see the Nets and Sixers in the playoffs. Right now, Brooklyn’s in eighth place in the East, and Philadelphia is in fifth. However, don’t expect the Nets to be in that spot for long.

Durant is expected to return after the All-Star break and hopefully, Harris will be back shortly after. If Brooklyn can stay healthy, it’s a wrap.

When the Nets traded for Harden 13 months ago, a championship was the expectation. How could one not be when Harden, Durant, and Irving were all on the same roster? Things have drastically changed though but not for the worst.

The playoffs start in two months. Brooklyn has enough time to focus on its health (Simmons included) and maximize its new lineups. Although it may not seem possible, it feels like there’s more confidence in the Nets now to win a title than there was at this point last season.

Brooklyn’s had a cloud over its head since the start of the year and although Irving still hasn’t received the COVID-19 vaccine, things got a lot brighter on Thursday afternoon.

After the break, it’ll be go-time for the Nets and the preseason title favorites will be prepared to make a deep playoff run that will hopefully end with the Larry O’Brien trophy.