Woj: Harden traded to Sixers

[BudweiserCeltic]

I wonder if Brooklyn allowed Harden to talk with Morey, cause WE ALL know that that has happened here. And considering that the league may start looking into these things more closely, if something will happen.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Hey Nets, what do you think about Durant for Horford, Smart and two 2nd round picks?

[Who]

That is some incredible shooting in Joe Harris, Seth Curry and Patty Mills next to two incredible jump-shooting stars in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Even if Ben Simmons struggles offensively, they are so loaded in offensive talent they can cover his weaknesses. And Simmons' defense + rebounding will be invaluable next to those offensive orientated guys.

I love that team. That team should be a joy to watch.

They gotta get Kyrie playing home games though. I liked my idea in a different thread of just moving home games out of NYC and playing in some college arena instead. Let Kyrie play.

back to Newark?

Perfect

[Who]

Simmons and Kyrie in the same locker room.  Fun.

On paper, though...

Drummond
Simmons
Durant
Curry
Kyrie

With Joe Harris (if healthy), LMA, Griffin, etc.

I would either (1) star Ben Simmons at center, or, (2) keep Aldridge as starting center. Either way, Drummond needs to come off the bench.

They gotta build their roster more around Simmons now and that means having shooters on the floor. Aldridge is enough of a floor spacer to create space for Simmons so they can do that and play big. Or go small with run and gun basketball. Simmons at center next to Durant at PF and Joe Harris at SF.

My guess is start Aldridge and stay big + keep the smaller lineup for later in games.

Either way, Drummond should be the backup center. His offensive limitations are a lot to work around while also dealing with Ben Simmons' weaknesses. It is somewhat doable but it won't be pretty and chemistry will be a problem. Better to avoid it.

[Phantom255x]

Expected it but still...

[jbpats]

Going to be an interesting ECF between these two teams.

[liam]

Hey Nets, what do you think about Durant for Horford, Smart and two 2nd round picks?

We say YES!


-The NETS

[Who]

Man Philly kept Maxey and Thybulle.  They are going to be tough as will Brooklyn

Philly
Maxey, Harden, Thybulle, Harris, Embiid
Milton, Green, Korkmaz, Niang, Joe, Milsap

I forgot Philly still had Danny Green; he should start instead of Thybulle. With Harden dribbling the ball so much, they are going to need their other forward to be able to shoot and not allow defenses to cheat off of Thybulle and collapse onto Harden & Embiid.

Really, Philly should have traded Thybulle. I know Morey won't do it because of how good Thybulle's advanced stats are but it is not what your stats are against average and below average teams but what they will be in a playoff series when your elite opponent is scheming against you. Thybulle is too much of a liability offensively on a team with Harden & Embiid. He needs to go.

I wonder about Maxey as well. He is a dribbler, a penetrator. He likes the ball in his hands. Now he has to play off the ball. That is not the role that is good for him. I question how well he'll function next to Harden. It is one thing to put up stats when you are allowed play to your strengths. It is another when you have to let go of the ball and play off of Harden & Embiid. So Maxey might be on his way out too.

[hpantazo]

So which team is more likely to implode from this trade? Will Harden clash with Embiid and bail on his team for a 4th time, or will Simmons still struggle with his issues and and new teammates (i.e. Kyrie)?

I can easily see both teams having issues. Harden is an out of shape ball hog who struggled in every playoff series and eventually asked out of OCK, Houston, and now Brooklyn.

Simmons, we don't even know if he will play this season, and gif he couldn't handle Doc and Embiid what makes us think Kyrie, KD, Nash and the NY media are going to be any easier?

[nickagneta]

Funny aside, in an ESPN write up about the trade it was said that Embiid is as healthy as he has ever been missing only 12 games out of 54 thus far this year.

[Redz]

Curry is a pretty underrated good grab by the Nets.  Limelight will be on Simmons, but they picked up some useful pieces on top that will think out Philly.

[ozgod]

Good old James

[Vox_Populi]

I think some of the hand-wringing over the fit disguises the fact that no matter how often people scoff at Harden's brand of basketball, his teammates always play better with him on the floor. Philly have gotten massively better and I'm sure there'll be an adjustment period, but to me, they have the second best chance at a title after Milwaukee in the East. Maybe even tied for best. Considering idk what to make of Joe Harris' physical health, Ben Simmons' mental health (and I mean that seriously), and Kyrie Irving's ability to not find a way to not be around when his team needs him.

I get there's concerns with Harden's hamstring, but at least he's played most of the season unlike the other three.