The Philadelphia 76ers have finally traded All-Star point guard Ben Simmons after a tumultuous nine months landing NBA superstar and future Hall Of Famer James Harden.
Here is the full trade, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowksi:
76ers get: James Harden, Paul Millsap
Nets get: Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, an unprotected 2022 first-round pick and a protected 2027 first-round pick
Daryl Morey was able to keep Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle, while acquiring Harden, as the Sixers were "adamant" in keeping their two young ascending players.
Harden, 32, is a 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA first teamer, three-time scoring champ, and 2018 Most Valuable Player.
For his career, Harden averages 25.0 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 44.3 FG% / 36.2 3P% / 85.9 FT%.
Harden has a player option for the 2022-23 season worth about $47 million, but the Sixers will likely look to extend him to a new five-year deal, which could be worth $270 million.
Simmons, 25, has made three All-Star teams, two All-NBA defensive team, and an All-NBA third team in four NBA seasons. Simmons won Rookie of the Year in 2018 and lead the NBA in steals in 2020.
For his career, Simmons averages 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game shooting 56.0 FG% / 14.7 3P% / 59.7 FT%.
In 34 playoff games, Simmons has averaged 13.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game shooting 57.1 FG% / 0.00 3P% / 52.0 FT%. However, in the fourth quarter of playoff games—especially his second-round series'—Simmons has been reluctant to shoot the ball.
Simmons' frustration with the 76ers and/or playing in Philadelphia began immediately following the team's Game 7 semifinals loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Simmons reportedly turned down a meeting with his teammates, including Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris, who were prepared to fly to Los Angeles to meet him before the start of the 2021-22 NBA season.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the playoff eliminating loss, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers told Stephen A. Smith that the Sixers wanted Simmons back and explained that the media took his comments about Simmons—following the team's Game 7 loss to the Hawks—out of context. Both Rivers and Sixers president Daryl Morey echoed that sentiment during Sixers Media Day on September 27th, saying they expected Simmons back with the team.
Simmons sat out for the entire 2021-22 season, thus far, claiming mental health issues have prevented him for playing for the Sixers.