The standoff between the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons has officially come to an end as the NBA trade deadline. The 76ers agreed to a deal with the Brooklyn Nets, as Daryl Morey has finally landed his man in James Harden.
Details are still coming through, but according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, there is a deal in place that is being finalized. James Harden is heading to the 76ers with Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and draft picks heading to Brooklyn.
This is a huge trade for the 76ers who were hungry to add a star to play alongside Joel Embiid in what was shaping up to potentially be a special season. Embiid is playing at an MVP level and now has an incredible running mate in Harden alongside him.
For the 76ers to acquire Harden without including Tyrese Maxey or Matisse Thybulle is excellent work by their front office. They are only losing Curry and Drummond from their rotation this season, as Simmons has played in zero games with the team.
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This deal instantly turns Philadelphia into legitimate contenders for the NBA Championship. For how elated people within the 76ers organization and their fans are feeling, people involved with the Nets are probably feeling the opposite.
It was just over a year ago that the Nets traded Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince, three first-round picks, and four pick swaps to land Harden. Now, they flipped him for Simmons, Curry, Drummond, and two picks back.
When looked at in a vacuum, like that, it is hard to not be disappointed. Ben Simmons, Curry, and Drummond will all upgrade the Brooklyn Nets’ current rotation. Simmons is a good fit alongside Irving and Durant as a table-setter, while Curry is an elite 3-point shooter that will help offset the loss of Joe Harris. Needing a center all season, Drummond could step into a starting role out of the gate.
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But, it is still hard to imagine the organization isn’t feeling deflated. Durant is currently sidelined with an MCL injury. Irving can only play in road games as he remains unvaccinated.
Harden was being relied upon to carry the load for the team in the meantime, but it wasn’t what he signed up for when he originally asked for a trade from the Houston Rockets and wanted to move on, again. Now, he gets his wish to be reunited with Morey in Philadelphia and help the Philadelphia 76ers on their quest to win a championship.
