NBA trade deadline, the Nets, Philadelphia completed a blockbuster deal, Harden and Ben Simmons swap owners, for this operation, ESPN expert Kevin Peilton believes that the Nets improved defense, got a B+ rating, but Harden for Philadelphia, the future contract will be a thorny issue, and finally Philadelphia only got a C- rating.
The specific transaction content is as follows:
The Nets sent Harden, Millsap, Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Drummond, as well as an unprotected first-round pick in 2022 and a protected first-round pick in 2027.
Nets: B+
The Nets brought Harden to Brooklyn 392 days ago to form the Big Three, but as a title favorite, the team was out of the second round last season. This season, Irving was unable to play at home because he was not vaccinated, and the Nets had previously suffered an embarrassing nine-game losing streak.
Given Irving's vaccine problems, as well as Joe Harris' ankle, it's becoming harder for the Nets to compete for the title, and the competition in the East has become more intense this season. It also makes the decision to trade much easier, Simmons is a younger All-Star than Harden, and the addition of Seth Curry could fill the gap for Joe Harris.
The most anticipated thing to look forward to in this deal is how Simmons will adapt to this team, because of Irving's vaccine problem, Simmons may need to play a different role between home and away. On the defensive end, Simmons is definitely a big upgrade for the team, and he will play the role of Bruce Brown more or less. However, Simmons' offense is certainly more threatening than Brown's, and as the candidate for the best defensive player ever, Simmons' defense is somewhat overrated, but his all-round ability in the playoffs will still be a plus.
The addition of Simmons will give the Nets more choices, and the Nets have also withdrawn some draft picks, but it is difficult to say how much Harden is willing to pay for the championship in the short term.
Philadelphia: C--
The Nets have an incentive to make a big deal, but Philadelphia's urgency could be even greater. While Philadelphia did well in the regular season in Simmons' absence, their situation in the playoffs could be very tough. Embiid is currently at his peak, playing 42 of his 54 games this season.
From an offensive point of view, Harden is Embiid's strongest teammate ever, Embiid has the ability to open up space for Harden, and Harden can also pass the ball to the low post. This season, when Embiid goes off, the team's 100-game offensive efficiency will drop by 7.7 points, and if Rivers chooses to take the two apart, Harden can make up for that problem.
Given the ability to maximize the two, they may also play some blocking and dismantling, Embiid can deal with opponents in any position at a low post, and Harden can also punish those defenders who are slow in a one-on-one situation. How Harden contributes on the defensive end may be a bigger challenge than offense.
One of the more difficult issues for Philadelphia to trade Harden could be the contract, assuming Harden executes the $47.4 million player option for next season, and he's eligible for a four-year, $223 million extension in the future. Harden is 37 by the end of the contract, and by that age, Harden is likely to be no longer at all-Star level, and this season, Harden has shown some signs of decline.
And in the deal, Philadelphia also sent Seth Curry, who played a major role in Philadelphia. But in the end, Philadelphia still had to make the deal, because they still had to solve Simmons' problems in the end.
in Kelsang