FINALLY: Nets Trade James Harden to the 76ers for Ben Simmons (And a Lot More)
THEY ACTUALLY DID IT! After weeks of constant back-and-forth chatter, the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers have swapped James Harden and Ben Simmons in a blockbuster deal. Simmons – who has yet to appear in a game this season after demanding a trade from the 76ers – will team up with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on a Nets team that has stumbled to 8th in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn will also significantly bolster their depth and asset pool with the additions of Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round picks.
As for Philly, former-Rockets GM Daryl Morey has been reconnected with James Harden. The 2018 MVP will pair one of the league’s best talents with a current MVP candidate in Joel Embiid. The price was hefty for the 76ers, especially for a version of Harden that has underwhelmed this season, but they must feel confident he can return to the player he once was to push this 5th-place team the championship they covet.
The Sixers are sending the Nets an unprotected 2022 first-round pick and a protected 2027 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2022
The Nets will get the Sixers' 2022 first-round pick unprotected with a right to defer until 2023 and a 2027 first-round pick protected 1-to-8, sources tell ESPN. The 2027 pick would roll over to 2028 protected 1-to-8 again. The pick turns into two seconds and $2M in 2029.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2022
Of note to the Bulls (other than the fact that two of their top competitors just significantly improved on paper): Paul Millsap will also go to the 76ers in the deal. One has to wonder if the organization could look to buy him out, but it also feels likely they view his veteran savvy as a viable frontcourt piece, especially with big man Drummond now out of the picture.
The Nets are including Paul Millsap in the deal too, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/yTzxKqH99q
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2022
We’ll update this post with any additional news or thoughts as they roll out.
Oh, and one more thing:
In the end, Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving played a total of just 16 games together. Crazy.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 10, 2022
UPDATE
Woj notes that the Nets are not done adding, which is a bit of a scary thought. Those draft picks could be put to good use to add another instant-impact veteran.
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
