After weeks of speculation, Philadelphia and the Nets finalized a 5-for-2 deal on the trade deadline.
The Nets sent Harden + Millsap back from Philadelphia to Ben Simmons + Seth Curry + Drummond + two first-round picks.
Such a deal is not surprising, because of Irving's part-time status, as well as Nash's coaching ability, Harden has long been dissatisfied with the situation of the Nets, Ben Simmons has not played for Philadelphia since the start of the game, this deal is undoubtedly a win-win choice for both sides.
So after the 5-for-2 deal is completed, who has a stronger lineup between Philadelphia and the Nets? The US media "FW" also comprehensively compared the two teams from multiple angles such as starting and replacing, and the results were clear at a glance.
Nets starting lineup: Irving, Sescurry, Durant, Ben Simmons and Aldridge.
The Nets originally had a good starting lineup, but this deal has made the Nets' starting lineup more balanced, improving defensive ability and interior configuration.
With Harden gone, Irving will be back as the starting point guard, and with Joe Harris still not returning, Cescuri will be a reasonable starting point guard, averaging 15 points per game and shooting 40 percent from three-point range so far in his career.
Ben Simmons can become an upgraded version of the dream chaser, playing the team's No. 4 position, giving full play to the defense and passing longboard, allowing Durant to return to the No. 3 position and reducing the intensity of physical confrontation.
76ers starting lineup: Harden, Maxi, Green, Harris and Embiid.
Philadelphia didn't send Maxy away in the trade, and even Sable stayed, who failed to make it into the starting lineup but could play a Super Six role on the bench.
In the starting lineup, with the arrival of Harden, Philadelphia has created one of the best duo in the league, "Harden + Embiid", and there are even voices in the outside world that this is the best inside and outside duo after Kobe Bryant and O'Neal.
Harris, who is averaging 19.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, will be a reasonable third-point scorer, and Maxi and Green can provide a steady three-point finishing ability, as well as a good personal single defense contribution.
Nets bench: Mills, Carter, Joe Harris, Thomas, Brown, Edwards, Griffin, Johnson, Drummond, Clarkston and Sharp.
With the addition of Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and Drummond, the Nets have greatly improved in terms of lineup depth while filling in the team's internal shortcomings.
Drummond, Aldridge, Clarkston and Sharp can handle all types of interior defensive needs, with Sescuari coming into the starting lineup and giving Mills peace of mind to play the sixth-man role.
76ers bench: Sable, Milton, Brown Jr., Cockmaz, Niang, Millsap and other players.
With the trade finalised, Philadelphia's bench depth was affected to some extent, sending away the team's top scorer, Sescuari, and the stable interior substitute Drummond.
Fortunately, the team also has 3D players such as Sebel and Milton, but the team needs to strengthen in the buyout market as soon as possible to increase the depth of the squad.
Therefore, through the comparison of the starting lineup and the bench lineup, it is not difficult to see that the Nets occupy an absolute advantage.
Philadelphia's advantage is only Embiid, who gives Philadelphia an absolute advantage on the inside, but in terms of overall lineup depth and the quality of top stars, the Nets are in an advantage, after all, they have Durant, the unsolvable star.
Fortunately, Philadelphia still has the opportunity to continue to strengthen, and the two young rising stars, Maxi and Sable, are full of hope, as long as Embiid can stay healthy and harden is determined to stay in the team for a long time, then Philadelphia has every hope of completing the rebound in the future.