It Really Happened - James Harden Is A 76er (and Ben Simmons Is A Net)

I can’t even begin to put into words what is going on right now. I thought that Tyrese Haliburton would be the craziest move of the deadline, but I was wrong. In the year of our lord 2022, the NBA is taking no prisoners. Let’s start with the obvious. James Harden got traded.

Ben Simmons is a Net. Kristaps Porzingis has a new home. Some teams like the Lakers and Knicks didn’t do anything. Others like the Celtics and Suns made some moves to trim around the edges.

With numerous chunks of my brain on the floor, here are my thoughts on the final day of the NBA Trade Deadline.

76ers Land James Harden; Nets Re-Assemble Big 3 W/ Simmons

You can’t understate the magnitude of this deal. I’m pretty sure I’m still in shock. Ben Simmons has wanted out of Philly for months. It became clear that the only way the 76ers would trade their All-Star is for a superstar. They didn’t want to settle for something less than they thought, and it worked out.

Harden had slowly worked himself out of Brooklyn. He’s played his worst year of basketball in over a decade. He hasn’t looked like an MVP this year. The Nets have fallen apart in recent weeks due to their injuries.

This trade has a lot to unpack, so let’s get straight into it.

Nets Receive: Ben Simmons / Seth Curry / Andre Drummond / 2022 FRP / 2027 FRP

Did The Nets Make The Right Move, Or…?

For the Nets to only get 16 games out of a Durant, Irving, Harden trio is really sad. For a trio as dominant as they were, things just never clicked. Injuries ruined their chances at a title in 2021. Kyrie Irving’s decision to not get vaccinated put a rift in their relationship.

But that’s neither here nor there. The return for Harden seems underwhelming, but after more thought, it’s not that bad. Joe Harris has missed almost the entire season with an ankle issue. Seth Curry gives them much-needed floor spacing. Those two first-rounders are trade assets. For a 32-year old, aging superstar, there are worse return packages.

The crown jewel of the trade is Ben Simmons. Simmons is a complex player. He might not be able to shoot, but I think he fits well in Brooklyn. I know he was embarrassingly bad in the Hawks series last year, but I’m optimistic for some reason.

What Does Simmons Give To The Nets?

Get your criticisms of Simmons out of the way. On paper, he makes sense for the Nets. He’s younger, has more contract stability, and is less of a diva. (probably).

The Nets defense needs better individual defenders. And you find many better than Simmons. He can guard 1-4 on most teams and even 1-5. He is a pest, someone whose presence is always felt. Instead of having James Harden waddling around on defense, you have Simmons. A minor upgrade.

Simmons doesn’t shoot the ball. Even with the weapons the Nets have, this could make things awkward. That’s why the Nets must use him properly. Don’t just put him in the dunker’s spot like Philly did. Be creative.

Use him as a screener. Put him in the middle of the floor. Play faster to avoid running into set defenses. Half of the problem in Philly wasn’t Simmons’s shooting, it was the way they used him.

There are still risks with this move, obviously. Is Simmons mentally ready to play? Will he commit to this new situation? Is he in shape? Can the Nets rely on him in close games?

There’s a lot we don’t know about this deal. But the Nets retooled their roster well in the wake of all this drama. If Joe Harris comes back before the playoffs and Simmons gives them that defensive kick they need, who needs Harden?

Grade: B

The 76ers SHOULDN’T Have Traded For James Harden

It’s easy for people like Kendrick Perkins to immediately declare this new duo “the best in the NBA.” We can all agree that James Harden makes the 76ers better. In terms of winning a title, their chances improved. But does that mean it’s the right move? No.

For one, James Harden is not what he used to be. We can run from this topic all we want, but it’s true. He’s looked slow and lethargic all year long. He doesn’t even try on defense anymore. Even if he did try, would it matter?

Unless the 76ers get prime James Harden, this move won’t be worth it. They gave up their second-best player in Seth Curry in this deal. Now, their floor spacing is shot. Furkan Korkmaz and Danny Green don’t strike fear into their opponents.

Keeping Matisse Thybulle is cool, but the 76ers shooting just took a huge hit.

There Were Better Options

On top of that, the fit with Embiid is weird. Harden isn’t exactly a team player, despite what his high assist numbers suggest. Can he stomach letting Embiid post up as frequently as he does? He is one of the worst off-ball stars in the NBA, so I don’t know if he can.

It just seems like the 76ers locked onto Harden when there were other superstars out there. Lillard and Beal are not only better fits with Embiid, but they also make more sense.

Lillard and Beal are younger than Harden. They are more team-oriented. Can we count on James Harden of all people to change if need be? I get that this move is over the top and fun, but the 76ers might have gotten worse with this move.

I could be completely missing the point here (likely), but I have a bad feeling about this. Feel free to tell me all about it when I’m inevitably wrong.

Grade: C

Mavericks Trade Porzingis; Add Depth

The Mavericks have their magnum opus in Luka Doncic. Finding the right players around him has been challenging. A reinvigorated defense under Jason Kidd is their new driving force. They know it’s time to go all in. Re-signing Dorian-Finney Smith proves as such.

Kristaps Porzingis bled Dallas dry a few years ago when he came over from the Knicks. He’s been ok as Luka’s co-star, but not enough to knock your socks off. This move was inevitable, but it’s surprising now that it’s here.

Here are my thoughts on this move.

Mavericks Receive: Spencer Dinwiddie / Davis Bertans

Wizards Receive: Kristaps Porzingis / 2nd Round Pick

Dallas Got Better…and Riskier

The return for the man once known as The Unicorn is weird. Months removed from signing a 3-year contract with Washington, Dinwiddie has a new home. He’s a risky acquisition for Dallas, but his top skills make him a perfect fit with Luka.

He’s a shot-creator, a solid shooter, and not a bad passer. He has contract stability, as he’s under contract until 2024. With Jalen Brunson being a hot-topic free agent this summer, Dinwiddie seems like insurance. He could also prove to be a spark for Dallas in the present, who is still in desperate need of creators.

Perhaps the move to a better situation will improve his play. Going to a winning organization will do that for you. Pre-injury Dinwiddie is what the Mavericks need. If they get Wizards Dinwiddie, this trade is a massive failure.

Davis Bertans would be a nice pickup, too, if we weren’t making $16 million annually for the next couple of years. He’s another catch-and-shoot threat, but he’s too pricy for what he is. I don’t know if he will make much noise with Dallas this year, but don’t expect a long tenure for him.

Again, I think this was the right move for Porzingis. They couldn’t rely on him as much as they needed to. They still need a second All-Star, but this move could be what propels them to a deep playoff run. Or it could lead to disaster. One of the two.

Grade: B with some upside

What Are The Wizards Doing, Exactly?

The Wizards continue to dumbfound me. For a team that should be rebuilding, they’re doing the opposite. With Bradley Beal off the table due to surgery, the Wizards went in the wrong direction at the deadline.

New Acquisitions

Kristaps Porzingis
Two second-round picks
Ish Smith

Bye-Bye

Spencer Dinwiddie
Davis Bertans
Montrezl Harrell
Aaron Holiday (why)

There were some moves that I liked from Washington. Shedding the contracts of Davis Bertans and Montrezl Harrell makes sense. Expect more playing time for Gafford and Thomas Bryant now.

Trading Spencer Dinwiddie surprised me. He wasn’t worth the money that the Wizards gave him, but trading him makes the signing look even worse.

Those are things I can stomach. The rest, I cannot. For starters, why did they trade Aaron Holiday? He was one of the better guards on your team, set for a bigger role with Dinwiddie out of the picture. Were those cash considerations worth it? Were they?

Then there’s the Porzingis deal. Porzingis doesn’t make any sense for this team. He’s injury-prone, older, and not worth the contract he’s on. He’s getting paid $101 million dollars for the next three seasons. Good luck trying to make the playoffs with that on your books.

I know Washington wanted to convince Beal to stay, but they’re going about this the wrong way. They should be rebuilding. However, expect them to give Bradley Beal the $245 million dollar supermax he doesn’t deserve.

You can expect them to continue to be average for the next decade or so. Sorry, Washington.

Grade: C+

Celtics Trim Around The Edges; Add White From Spurs

The Celtics had a fluid trade deadline situation. Leading up to this week, it looked like they would sell hard. With another disappointing season in the making, trades seemed inevitable.

Instead, Boston has been playing the best basketball out of anybody in 2022. Their defense has returned to elite form as they have risen in the East standings. So, they made moves to continue that trend.

New Acquisitions

Derrick White (via SAS)
Daniel Theis (via HOU)

Bye-Bye

Dennis Schroder
Romeo Langford
Enes Freedom (but really Kanter)

Schroder was the main piece sent to Houston in the deal that got Daniel Theis back. Schroder is having a fine season, but he’s on a one-year deal. Boston wanted whatever they could out of him.

Adding Theis to an already awkward frontcourt makes things weirder. He’s familiar with Boston, but I don’t know about his fit. Will he replace Horford’s minutes? Will he play? I don’t know if he’s going to work out.

The move I liked for the Celtics the most was Derrick White. White is having a solid season, averaging 14 points and 6 assists per game. He’s not a great shooter, but he fills their needs of a ball-handler. He’s a great defender.

He works better at point guard than either Smart or Schroder, so it’s a definite upgrade. White is under contract for the next four seasons. Josh Richardson had just two years left. Not only did they grab a position they desperately needed, but they also got someone for the future. Not bad, Brad Stevens.

Overall, Boston has to be happy with how they handled today. Now it’s time to make a playoff push.

Grade: B-

The Knicks & Lakers Are STUPID

Both the Knicks and Lakers needed to make moves at the deadline. They are dysfunctional, clunky, and in need of change. So what did they both do? Absolutely nothing.

New York Knicks

A report that came out yesterday said that “everybody on the Knicks was available.” That almost guarantees a move will be made, right? Wrong.

The Knicks simply don’t work. Their starting unit, while talented, doesn’t have the juice. Julius Randle looks like he aged 10-years over the offseason. Evan Fournier has not worked out.

The Knicks are in danger of missing the playoffs. Instead of picking a direction, whether that be retooling or going for it, they didn’t do anything. That’s a cardinal sin.

Los Angeles Lakers

I don’t need to explain what’s wrong with the Lakers. An acceptable answer would be ‘just about everything.’ The Russell Westbrook experiment has been a failure. The Lakers’ older players aren’t giving them production.

Their frontcourt is weak. Shooting and consistency elude them like Fred Astaire. In defense of the Lakers, they don’t have enticing assets. I don’t think teams are throwing themselves at the Lakers for Talen Horton-Tucker.

The Lakers are stuck with this roster, which is great for non-Laker fans. Watching this team drunkenly stumble around for the next three months will be fun.

Not making a move was unacceptable for the Lakers, but I’m not protesting it that hard.

Suns Add Depth; Two Sleeper Moves To Keep An Eye On

It’s hard to improve a team with a record of 44-10. But, somehow, the Suns did it. One of the best front offices in the NBA made two quiet moves that make them better.

They started with getting Washington Wizards youngster Aaron Holiday for cash. Holiday is a talented player. He’s a decent shooter, a good slasher, and an above-average defender. Adding that to your bench can’t hurt.

The second move involves the Indiana Pacers. The Suns finally admitted that drafting Jalen Smith was a mistake, sending him off for Torrey Craig. Craig is a familiar face for the Suns, someone who was on their playoff roster last year.

He offers solid defense, more depth, and gives the Suns some edge. Again, it’s a small move, but it helps.

If Magic Johnson agrees with me, you know I’m right;

The Phoenix Suns got better with the additions of Torrey Craig and Aaron Holiday. It may seem like a small trade to some, but not to me. Both players will bring depth to the Suns roster, especially as they try to make a run back to the Finals.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 10, 2022

Weird 4-Team Trade Sends Bagley To Hell; Kings Get Stranger

The first major move of the day was a weird one. It involved four teams and goes as followed;

Bucks Get: Serge Ibaka / Two Future 2nd RP / Cash

Clippers Get: Rodney Hood / Semi Ojeleye

Kings Get: Donte DiVincenzo / Trey Lyles / Josh Jackson

Pistons Get: Marvin Bagley III

This trade has a lot of different angles/motives, so here’s what I think about it.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks needed a center. I said that about them this past Monday. This trade solves their need. Ibaka gives them a body down low, someone to fill the gap left by Lopez’s injury.

They didn’t want to pay Donte DiVincenzo past this season, so this trade makes sense. Grayson Allen is better than DiVincenzo, so everything worked out for the Bucks.

Grade: A

LA Clippers

The Clippers didn’t need Ibaka and saved $30 million towards the luxury tax. They also got what they wanted done.

Grade: A

Sacramento Kings

The Kings keep getting weirder. Just two days removed from trading their best player, they continue to add more players to a buffet.

During the 2020 offseason, DiVincenzo should have been a King. A trade would have sent Bogdanovic to the Bucks and DiVincenzo to the Kings. That deal fell through, but the Kings finally get their hands on DiVincenzo. Now that he’s older and regressed heavily. Nice.

Trey Lyles make their frontcourt even more crowded. I don’t know what the Kings are doing and I get the feeling they don’t, either.

Grade: What’s The Color For Weird?

Detroit Pistons

I don’t like that they gave up Lyles in this move. He’s been great for them this season.

Anyway, Marvin Bagley III. He’s young and in desperate need of a new home. He’s talented, but looking like a bust from the stacked 2018 class. Pairing him with Cade Cunningham could do wonders for his development.

Still, it would have been nice to take Luka Doncic.

Grade: B

Moves That Should Have Happened

There were a lot of surprising moves that happened this deadline. Some of the targets I’ve been prepping for weeks stayed put. Here are some of the moves that should have happened, but didn’t.

Jerami Grant

Once called the “grand prize” of the trade deadline season, Grant is staying in Detroit. And I hate it.

I would have liked to see Grant end up on a contending team. I think the reason he didn’t get traded was his demands. Wherever he went, he wanted a lucrative extension. If teams didn’t want to give him that, they likely pulled out of trade talks.

So, for now, Grant is stuck in Detroit.

Myles Turner

Myles Turner was one of the few survivors of Indiana’s firesale. He now gets the fortune of playing with Tyrese Haliburton.

If not for a foot injury weeks before today, Turner would have been gone. The Knicks and the Hornets wanted him, but that injury made it impossible for Indiana to get an equal return.

So, somehow, Myles Turner gets to play with Tyrese Haliburton. Cool.

Sacramento Kings

I don’t know how the Kings could have traded Haliburton, but not their other assets. A lot of teams could have used Harrison Barnes. The Kings even wanted to move Barnes, but they didn’t.

After they traded for Sabonis, I expected Richuan Holmes to be moved. While he’s a great player, they don’t want him there. Now, he has to waste his career there. Nice.

The Kings continue to amaze me with how stupid they are. Enjoy this clip of them drafting Nick Stauskas over Zach Lavine, TJ Warren, and Kyle Anderson.

It Really Happened – James Harden Is A 76er (and Ben Simmons Is A Net)