Nets, 76ers pull off blockbuster James Harden, Ben Simmons trade

The uber-hyped potential James Harden-Ben Simmons trade between the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers finally came to fruition just hours before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday afternoon.

According to multiple reports, the Nets traded Harden and veteran big man Paul Millsap to the Sixers in exchange for Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks. Brooklyn will receive Philadelphia's unprotected 2022 first-round pick, with the right to defer it to 2023, as well as a top-eight protected 2027 first-round pick, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. That pick would remain top-eight protected in 2028 and will turn into two second-round picks — and $2 million in cash — if it doesn't convey in either season, ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported.

Harden is currently second in the NBA in assists per game (10.2) and inside the top-20 in points per game (22.5), but the 2017-18 league MVP has missed three straight contests with a hamstring injury for the scuffling Nets. Simmons — a former Rookie of the Year and three-time All-Star — asked for a trade out of Philly following last spring's shocking second-round playoff exit against the Atlanta Hawks, which saw the point guard struggle mightily in crunch time.

Simmons has sat out all season — citing a desire to focus on his mental health — and has been fined thousands of dollars as a result, and he had arguably been involved in more trade rumors than any other player in the NBA over the last eight months. Bontemps reported Thursday afternoon that sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that Simmons will continue to work with his therapist to get mentally ready to play with his new team.

Millsap has made four All-Star teams in his 16-year NBA career but has only appeared in 24 games for Brooklyn this season — none since Jan. 13. — as the team was looking for a trade partner. Curry has enjoyed a breakout eighth season in the Association, averaging career-highs in points (15.0), assists (4.0), rebounds (3.4) and minutes per contest (34.8) across 45 games, while posting a .485/.400/.877 shooting line.

In his 10th season in the league and first with the Sixers, Drummond has averaged 6.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 18.4 minutes per game, while taking the court for 49 contests including 12 starts.