The NBA trade deadline is over, and the high-profile blockbuster trade finally happened: Harden left the Nets for the 76ers! What is the reason for this? Let's take a look at it.
From Harden's point of view, leaving the team now is certainly not the best choice, nor is it the worst.
First, Durant is plagued by injuries, Irving can't play the home game, the Nets have a hard time putting together the Big Three, and it's hard to really compete for the title in such a competitive season. The nets' attitude towards Irving has also made Harden feel some dissatisfaction.
Second, as a rookie coach, Nash showed a coaching ability that did not meet Harden's goals, especially in terms of employment and platooning, and there was a certain contradiction between him and the beard.
Third, although the 76ers have paid for the likes of Simmons, Sable and Curry Jr., the strength has been damaged to some extent, but Embiid is in and is in excellent form now, which attracts Harden to partner him.
Fourth, if you stay with the Nets, sign first in the offseason and then change to join the 76ers, Harden can sign a 4-year and 200 million maximum salary contract. Join the 76ers now, and you can renew the super extreme salary of 270 million yuan for 5 years in the offseason, with a difference of 70 million in between!
From the Nets' point of view, if you don't want to give up Harden, you have to give up.
First, the Nets knew that Harden was likely to jump out of his contract in the offseason, become a free agent, and then join the 76ers, and in order to avoid losses, the net was empty and could only replace him before the trade closed.
Second, Harden's personal ability is super strong, but now the attitude and willingness to play are very low, and the physical and competitive state are not at their best, and the offensive threat is reduced. While Bency can pass the ball and have defense, Sebel has an outside defense, Curry Jr. has a three-pointer, Zhuang Shen is an inside line, and the Nets' strength is more balanced.
Third, in the transaction, the Nets also got two first-round picks, which is conducive to subsequent operations and better reinforcement of the lineup
From the perspective of the 76ers, Harden is such a superstar, and the opportunity to get it is absolutely not to be missed.
First, although the 76ers have Embiid, if they want to truly become a contender for the championship, they still need an outside superstar, and Harden has both personal scoring ability and excellent offensive initiator, and is theoretically the perfect partner with Embiid.
Second, although it is necessary to pay Curry Jr., Sable and others, as long as there is a chance to get a super giant like Harden, who will not act immediately? Of course, it is also possible to wait until this year's offseason, but then the unpredictability will be stronger.
Third, Ben Simmons has always refused to return to play for the 76ers, which has always been the biggest problem in the team, and the 76ers do not want to trade him away. Being able to trade him for Harden now is already a very good result for the 76ers.