The blockbuster trade involving James Harden and Ben Simmons is shaking up the league. At first glance, both the Nets and the Sixers are the winners of this deal – but there is a danger behind it, especially for Philly. SPOX answers five questions about the trade.
NBA: What does the Harden trade mean for the Sixers?
So in the end, Daryl Morey got his way after all. From the beginning of the trade rumors about former franchise hopeful Ben Simmons last summer, the Sixers boss insisted on getting a top 30 player back in exchange. He sat out his strike at the beginning of the training camp as well as the public pressure. Now he can justifiably claim: I told you so.
The reunion with James Harden, whom Morey brought to Houston in 2012, where “The Beard” matured into MVP and one of the best scorers of his generation, is the happy ending to an almost unspeakable saga for the Sixers. A happy ending that involves certain risks.
However, the prospect of a superstar duo for the near and likely mid-term has far outweighed those risks for Philadelphia. Morey’s tactic has always been to amass as much superstar talent as possible and the rest will sort itself out.
This has not always worked without stumbling blocks, and the fit between Harden and franchise cornerstone Joel Embiid has also been questioned several times in recent weeks, when the trade rumors about Harden, who allegedly really wanted to play with the center, boiled up. Especially on offense, this answer can sometimes be furious, in a positive sense.
Embiid has never had such a good shot creator at his side, in general never such a talented scorer and excellent playmaker in one person. At the same time, Harden has never known such a strong center next to him. Although Embiid’s playing style differs fundamentally from that of most of Harden’s center colleagues, this should hardly pose a problem in the end.
Harden and Embiid at the Sixers: Which defense should this duo stop?
The Cameroonian isn’t the traditional rim runner who sets blocks and hammers alley-oops through the trap. But Harden prefers to create from Pick’n’Roll or Isolations, with the latter Embiid would only be demoted to a role as a floor spacer, which of course doesn’t do justice to the MVP candidate. Instead, the two-man game of the two – despite the different styles – promises to be a walking mismatch for almost every opponent.
Coach Doc Rivers also has the option to split his stars’ minutes so that there’s always a Harden jersey or Embiid jersey on the court. So far this season, the Sixers have been 8.6 points per 100 possessions worse with Embiid on the bench than with him on the court. Harden’s scoring should be able to make up for that glaring difference. If the bearded man sits, Embiid can take over in the post.
However, certain question marks remain with Harden: How is the thigh, which caused him problems in the past playoffs and now apparently again? Can Harden bounce back from the slump in form that has dogged him all season in Brooklyn? Defensively, Harden is the opposite of an upgrade.
The fact that Philly, in addition to Simmons, Seth Curry (who played a role in Philly that should not be underestimated, but is now being replaced by Harden) and Andre Drummond, also had to give up two first-round picks is bearable in view of the current goals. That’s how Morey was able to keep the young talents Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle, who are more important in the hunt for a championship than future picks.
Nothing else is the goal in Philadelphia. The Sixers were threatened with wasting an outstanding and above all healthy Embiid season with the unused Simmons squad, but he now gets a former MVP at his side in his prime, who had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 8 Assist hangs up. Even without Harden, Philly is 32-22 and within reach of the East lead. The Sixers have now become even more dangerous.
NBA: The blockbuster trade around James Harden and Ben Simmons at a glance
| net received | get sixers |
| Ben Simmons | James Harden |
| Seth Curry | Paul Millsap |
| Andre Drummond | – |
| First round pick 2022 or 2023 | – |
| First Round Pick 2027 (Top 8 Protected) | – |
