On February 11, Beijing time, the NBA trading deadline has arrived! A trade that shook the league: the Nets sent Harden + Millsap to Ben Simmons + Seth Curry + an unprotected 2022 first-round pick + a protected 2027 first-round pick. You read that right, Harden officially left the Nets.
According to media reports, the first round of signing in 2027 is two consecutive years of 1-8 pick protection. If the Nets don't end up with this first-round pick, Philadelphia will need to give the Nets 2 second-round picks and $2 million in cash in 2029. Previously, the Nets wanted Sebel and Maxi, but both were rejected by Philadelphia, and the Nets eventually got Curry Jr.
ESPN reported that Sebel was the Nets' most interested player, but Philadelphia refused to trade Sebel, so it gave the Nets two first-round picks. Some media posted a photo of Durant, Harden and Irving, and wrote: "An era is over!" In fact, the Nets' big three have only played 16 games, and the team is 13-3. Now I'm going to say goodbye...
In an interview yesterday, Nash made it clear that Harden would not be traded and that Deng would remain with the Nets after the trade deadline. Unfortunately, people are not as good as heaven, and in the end Harden was traded. Some fans will ask: Can't the Nets trade without trading? Okay, but Harden will skip a contract this summer to become a free agent and then join Philadelphia.
Before the season began, Harden turned down a three-year, $161 million early contract extension for the Nets. This offseason, Harden is definitely leaving the Nets, and the team might as well take advantage of the moment in exchange for some draft picks and instant combat power. Harden will execute the $47.3 million player option next season with Shams reporting, and will not jump out of contract this summer.
Agent Rich Paul revealed that Simmons had spoken by phone with Nets general manager Max, as well as Nets core Durant. Simmons said he is eager to join the Nets and will try to return to the court this season. Since Irving still can't play the home game, some media have teased: "This is the Nets' new 2.5 giant!" ”
Simmons was born on July 20, 1996, and is not yet 26 years old. His current contract is $170 million for 5 years, which expires in the summer of 2025. In the 2020-21 season, Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game in the regular season, and averaged 11.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game in the playoffs. Haven't played this season.
The coach checked the previous reports, before Harden left the Rockets, Philadelphia had used Simmons + Sebel + two first-round signing offers Deng, but the Rockets wanted Maxi, and eventually Harden was sent to the Nets. Now Philadelphia has once again come up with Simmons and two first-round picks, almost identical offers, except that Sebel has been replaced by Curry Jr.
Seth Curry, 31, has averaged 15 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4 assists this season, shooting 48.5 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 87.7 percent from the free throw line. Don't forget, the Nets also exchanged Millsap for Chuang Shen. Drummond has averaged 18 minutes per game this season and can have 6.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks.
Millsap has previously made it clear that he will not play for the Nets again, and it is already a good choice to exchange him for Zhuang Shen. In addition, the Nets will cut Bembry to make room for the Harden and Simmons trades. Although Bembry only averaged 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, he was very active in defending and fighting on the court.
After the trade, the Nets had the following lineup: Durant, Irving, Simmons, Seth Curry, Drummond, Mills, Joe Harris, Clarkston, Aldridge, Griffin, Bruce Brown, James Johnson, Cameron Thomas, Dailon Sharp, Kessler Edwards, David Duke.
One thing to say, do you think the Nets and Philadelphia made a deal that made who lost? Are the Nets stronger after the trade is completed?