After forcing his way out of Houston to join the Brooklyn Nets last season, James Harden is on the move again. According to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Harden is going to the Philadelphia 76ers for a package including Ben Simmons. The deal sees two All-Star talents on rival teams traded for one another in one of the biggest Woj-bombs in recent memory.
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Rumors of a Harden-Simmons swap were bubbling for weeks, reaching full boil within the last twenty-four hours. Harden, a free agent after this season, has missed Brooklyn’s last three games with a lingering hamstring injury. However, several sources speculate Harden was purposely shutting down to send a subtle message to the franchise. A report from ESPN this morning claimed Harden wanted the trade, though he wouldn’t make his request public due to potential backlash. Last year, he demanded a trade from the Houston Rockets to join his friends Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn. Harden now teams up with All-NBA big man and MVP candidate Joel Embiid. The two will instantly create one of the more versatile, dynamic two-man games in the entire league. Veteran forward Paul Millsap will join Harden on the move to Philly.
The complete package heading to Brooklyn includes Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round picks. Moreover, The Simmons Stalemate has finally reached its conclusion. The disgruntled former All-Star had been sitting out all season awaiting a trade out of Philadelphia. He now joins superstars Durant and Irving looking to revitalize a Nets team that has lost nine straight games. Though he hasn’t played in an NBA game in eight months, Simmons will need to play a vital role in helping the Nets reach their goal of winning a title this season.
Who do you think won this blockbuster trade? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
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