Report: Nets, 76ers agree to blockbuster trade around James Harden and Ben Simmons
The NBA Trade Deadline is off and running in a big way. James Harden and Ben Simmons are on the move.
The Brooklyn Nets are trading Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Simmons, according to multiple reports. The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported the move.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski provided even more details. The 76ers are sending Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round draft picks to Brooklyn for Harden and Paul Millsap.
Rumors swirled about Harden’s future in Brooklyn in the days leading up to the trade deadline. The Nets have lost nine straight games since Kevin Durant went down with an injury, and speculation ramped up about whether or not Harden would stay in Brooklyn the rest of the year. Still, Harden is averaging 22.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game this season.
Simmons hasn’t played this year for the 76ers as they worked to find a trade partner for him. Now, he’s heading to Brooklyn to team up with Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Kings send former Duke star to Pistons in four-team trade
The Kings parted ways with former Duke star forward Marvin Bagley III on Thursday. As part of a blockbuster four-team trade, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft was sent from Sacramento to the Detroit Pistons.
Moreover, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski detailed the extent of the four-team trade. While Sacramento sent Bagley III to Detroit, the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers were involved, as well.
As you can see, NBA trade deadline day is off to a roaring start. While the Kings are losing Bagley III to the Pistons, they’re receiving a bevy of talented players in return.
First, the Kings will receive former Villanova star Donte DiVencenzo from the Bucks. On the season, DiVencenzo is averaging 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. In Sacramento, he’ll hope to carve out a bigger role with guard De’Aaron Fox running the point.
Additionally, Sacramento is receiving Josh Jackson and Trey Lyles in the trade, as well. Moreover, former Kansas star forward Jackson is averaging 7.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. While he’s never reached his full potential, the Kings are hoping for him to reach a new gear. As for Lyles, the former Kentucky star is averaging 10.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Evidently, Detroit is hoping Bagley III can produce more than the two former Pistons.
The four-team trade involving Marvin Bagley III is the first huge trade of the day, but it’ll be far from the last.