James Harden is reportedly out of Brooklyn, as the Nets traded the frustrated superstar to the 76ers for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and a pair of first-round draft picks.
Harden, a subject of trade rumors for weeks, was reportedly frustrated with Brooklyn's outlook, thanks in part to Kyrie Irving's status as a part-time player due to his vaccination status.
According to one report, the feeling of frustration was mutual.
The Athletic's Joe Vardon reported after news of the trade broke that Irving was "ready for Harden to move on," and that when Irving heard that Harden was seeking a trade, he was "eager to see it come to fruition."
Vardon noted one source, who said there was "definitely a weird vibe" between Harden and James, noting an incident where Harden looked visibly annoyed at Irving before a game last month when Irving lit some sage in the locker room as part of a Native American ritual that Irving has taken up in an effort to "cleanse negative energy."
Apparently, it wasn't enough to cleanse the negative vibes between the two stars, and both may be happier now that they have been separated. But with Harden's arrival, the Sixers have become one of the favorites to win the East. Brooklyn will likely be right there as well once Kevin Durant returns, now that the team has a facilitator in Simmons and a 3-point shooting threat in Curry to space the floor. These two stars and former teammates could be going at it in a seven-game series later this year.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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