SI

NBA Trade Deadline Live Blog: Nets, 76ers Agree to Harden-Simmons Deal

We're bringing you all the latest rumors, trade news and analysis from around the NBA.

Ben Pickman

Thursday at 3 p.m. ET marks the NBA's trade deadline. The future of 76ers All-Star guard Ben Simmons was one of the biggest stories to monitor at the start of the day. Along with where Simmons would play next were questions about 2018 league MVP James Harden, whose tenure with the Nets has been a topic of discussion, at least publicly, in recent weeks. 

While it was rumored that the two sides had not engaged in serious talks before Thursday morning, the two did reportedly agreed to a trade about two hours ahead of the deadline.

On what could be an active deadline day, be sure to keep tabs on our live blog, where we'll bring you all the latest rumors, trades and analysis from around the league (refresh for most recent updates).

NBA Trade Grades: Nets Deal James Harden to 76ers for Ben Simmons

Simmons's agent comments on the blockbuster

Klutch Sports founder and CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that Simmons had already talked to Nets star forward Kevin Durant and general manager Sean Marks following Thursday's mega-deal.

”We've got to work to do to get him back to play, but it's a great step in right direction,” Paul told ESPN. Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes had first reported that Durant and Simmons had had already conversations and that the two sides are ”on the same page,” in Haynes's words.

Per Yahoo Sports, while it is expected to take Simmons time to get acclimated, he also welcomes a change of scenery. Simmons has not played in an NBA game since last June. Per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, he has also largely worked out separately with his own group of trainers this season.

Lakers stand pat, and more on what didn't happen at the deadline

The Lakers did not make a trade on Thursday and will instead focus on the buyout market, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

They are not alone as the Knicks, another team frequently floated in rumors did not make a deal. According to SNY's Ian Begley, guard Alec Burks and forward Nerlens Noel were discussed in possible deals. 

According to NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson, the Bulls, currently the No. 3 seed in the East, never seriously considered including Patrick Williams, last year's No. 4 pick, in any packages.

According to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, the Mavericks were also actively exploring a trade involving Tim Hardaway Jr., who is out indefinitely after suffering a fracture in his left foot, in addition to eventually trading forward Kristaps Porzingis.

Celtics sending Schröder to Houston

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, center Daniel Theis is returning to the Celtics with guard Dennis Schröder, center Enes Freedom and center Bruno Fernando to the Rockets in exchange for the 29-year-old center. Per ESPN, Freedom will be waived by Houston.

The Unicorn gets traded again

The Mavericks are trading forward Kristaps Porzingis to the Wizards, according to Marc Stein. 

According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Wizards are receiving guard Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans as part of the agreement.

Porzingis, 26, is averaging 19.2 points and 7.7 rebounds in 29.5 minutes per game. The former No. 4 pick in the 2015 NBA draft joins a Washington team that is 24–29 on the season, and is only 2–8 in its last 10 games. He has not played since Jan. 29 due to a right bone bruise.

The Wizards had made every player on their roster, except for guard Bradley Beal and forward Kyle Kuzma, available at the deadline, according to The Action Network's Matt Moore, and the deal involving Porzingis is their second of the day. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Washington also traded center Montrezl Harrell to Charlotte in exchange for Vernon Carey and Ish Smith. 

For Dallas, the acquisition of Dinwiddie and Bertans provide additional depth for a Mavericks team that is currently 32–23, and in fifth-place in the Western Conference.

Dinwiddie had been in his first year with the Wizards, averaging 12.6 points, 5.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. Bertans has appeared in 34 games this season, but is averaging just 5.7 points, his lowest total since the 2017-18 campaign, while shooting a career-low 31.9% from three.

Earlier Thursday, Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reported the Mavericks were also the favorites to sign veteran guard Goran Dragic, who the Spurs acquired in a trade for the Raptors and is reportedly expected to get bought out.

According to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, the Mavericks also were actively exploring a trade involving Tim Hardaway Jr., who is out indefinitely after suffering a fracture in his left foot.

Harden provides clarity on his future in Philly

In the aftermath of the reported trade to Philadelphia, The Athletic reported that Harden was opting into the $47.3 million player option for next season.

The Athletic had previously reported that those within the 76ers strongly believed Harden, who could have been unrestricted free agent this summer, would not re-sign with Brooklyn. On top of that, ESPN reported that Harden and manager, Lorenzo McCloud, had been searching for an agent to partner with in the short-term to navigate the Brooklyn guard's playing future.

In Philadelphia, Harden will reunite with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, who served as the Rockets general manager from 2007 until '20, and acquired Harden in a trade from Oklahoma City in October '12.

Philadelphia enters Deadline Day at 32–22 on the season, just 2.5 games back of the top-seeded Heat. With the 76ers, Harden will pair with All-NBA center Joel Embiid, who is perhaps the front-runner for the league's MVP award. 

Embiid, 27, is averaging a league-best 29.4 points per game while also hauling in 10.9 rebounds and a career-high 4.3 assists per game. The 76ers star is currently in the fourth-year of a five-year contract.

The blockbuster everyone has been waiting for

The Nets and 76ers are finalizing a trade that would send 2018 league MVP James Harden to Philadelphia in exchange for All-Star guard, Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and draft picks, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania. 

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, center Andre Drummond is also returning to Brooklyn in the deal, as are two first-round picks.

The agreement comes after ESPN reported Thursday morning that Harden wanted to be traded to the 76ers, but had resisted making a formal request out of fear of public backlash.

While the two sides had reportedly not engaged in serious talks prior to Thursday morning, Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reported that the two did engage in conversations on Thursday, with the the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey adding the two had shown a willingness on Thursday to reach an agreement. Second-year forward Matisse Thybulle was a hold-up in the negotiations, per the Inquirer.

Harden and forward LaMarcus Aldridge did not accompany the Nets to Washington for Thursday's game, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe. He has not played since Feb. 2 due to a hamstring injury and has played only twice since Jan. 25. Steve Nash had said twice publicly, including Thursday, that Harden would not be traded ahead of the deadline. 

Simmons had not put on a 76ers uniform and played in an NBA game since June 6, 2021, when Philadelphia lost to the Hawks in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. He first reportedly requested a trade from the franchise in August, yet briefly rejoined the team toward the end of training camp. He then subsequently left the Sixers once again.

While Simmons had been linked to other teams, he will join a Nets team that is currently amid a nine-game losing streak. Per Yahoo Sports, it will take Simmons, who has said was not mentally ready to play, time to get acclimated in Brooklyn, but he welcome a change of scenery. 

How Simmons feels about a change of scenery

According to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, All-Star guard Ben Simmons has already had conversations with Nets star Kevin Durant and the two sides are ”on the same page,” in Haynes's words. 

Per Yahoo Sports, while it is expected to take Simmons time to get acclimated, he also welcomes a change of scenery. Simmons has not played in an NBA game since last June. Per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, he has also largely worked out separately with his own group of trainers.

Simmons has four years and $147 million left on his contract. 

While much of the conversation surrounding the 76ers' postseason exit to the Hawks was about Simmons, who averaged just 9.9 points per game and shot 15-for-45 (33.3%) in the series, he did make his third consecutive All-Star team last year. In the 2020–21 campaign, Simmons, 25, averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game.

Joel Embiid reacts to the news

When will the NBA world get a Sixers-Nets reunion?

The Nets and 76ers have already played three times this season, with Brooklyn taking two of the three matchups. However, both teams are slated to play again on March 10 in Philadelphia, the final game between the teams in the regular season. 

What's next for the Nets?

Following the acquisition of Simmons, the Nets are still working to be aggressive in the trade market, especially after acquiring two additional first-round picks on Thursday, per ESPN.

While the Simmons-Harden news was happening...

Other teams around the NBA kept dealing. Among them, the Celtics, who added Spurs guard Derrick White in exchange for Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford and a first-round pick, according to Yahoo Sports.

The Pacers and Suns also agreed to a trade. According to ESPN, as part of the agreement, the Pacers sent forward Torrey Craig to the Suns for center Jalen Smith, who was the No. 10 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, and a second-round pick.

NBA Trade Grades: Nets Deal James Harden to 76ers for Ben Simmons

Conversations (about James Harden) have been had, with optimism coming from the Simmons camp

According to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, the Nets and 76ers engaged in trade talks Thursday centered on Harden. The Athletic's Sam Amick added that there is also now optimism from the Simmons camp that a deal sending him from Philadelphia to Brooklyn will get done.

According to The Athletic, a source close to Simmons said that ”the only thing that might mess this trade up now is 'ego' on the Nets side of the equation.“

Those reports, both shared around two hours before the trade deadline, come after ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Harden wanted to be traded to the 76ers. Earlier Thursday, ESPN reported Harden was hopeful that 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey would secure a trade for him prior to the deadline, but that Morey and Nets general manager Sean Marks had yet to become engaged in serious talks on a deal.

Despite ESPN's report, Nets coach Steve Nash told reporters Thursday morning that Harden would not be moved before the deadline. It was a similar refrain to the one he voiced on Sunday, when he first publicly stated that Brooklyn was not trading Harden.

Harden and forward LaMarcus Aldridge did not accompany the Nets to Washington for Thursday's game, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe. He has not played since Feb. 2 due to a hamstring injury and played only twice since Jan. 25.

A day to rest, and wait

Doc Rivers canceled 76ers practice on Thursday, allowing his players to relax and get shots up, if they so choose. He told reporters that he did so amid all that is going on within the organization, saying, per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, ”Tomorrow, we'll have shootaround with our team, for sure”

Who exactly will be on Philadelphia past Thursday's 3 p.m. ET. deadline remains a major question, as on Thursday morning ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Harden wanted to be traded to the 76ers. A possible framework to the deal could include Philadelphia's Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle, but the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey is reporting both are holdups in a possible deal.that would also include Simmons. Otherwise, per the Inquirer, the two sides would be willing to swap the key pieces.

A cost-savings agreement

Raptors add frontcourt depth in Thaddeus Young trade; Spurs add Dragic...for now

The Raptors looked to bolster their frontcourt on Thursday, acquiring veteran forward Thaddeus Young in a deal with the Spurs. The agreement, which wast first reported by The Athletic's Shams Charania, will send guard Goran Dragic and a 2022 first-round lottery-protected pick back to San Antonio.

Toronto will also receive forward Drew Eubanks and a 2022 Pistons second-round pick in the deal, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Young was in his first full season with the Spurs after coming over in a trade with the Bulls during the offseason. He had averaged only 6.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 26 games for San Antonio. An unrestrictive free agent after this season, his per game minutes average, of 14.2, had also been the lowest of his career.

Still, Young has proven to be a productive player throughout his more than decade-long NBA tenure. Heading into this season, he had averaged double-digits points in every year since he was a rookie in 2007-08. And for his career, he averages nearly six rebounds per contest.

He seems likely to take some pressure of some of Toronto's versatile forwards, as currently four players on the team's roster are averaging at least 36 minutes per game.

The hope for Toronto is that adding Young boosts an organization that sits at 30–23 in the Eastern Conference and is just four games back of the top-seeded Heat. It would appear to be especially additive considering Dragic stepped away from the Raptors in late November because of what the team said was a ”personal matter," and has not returned.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Dragic is expected to negotiate a buyout with the Spurs. Among the teams expected to be interested in Dragic are Dallas, Milwaukee, Chicago and the Clippers. According to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, the Mavericks are expected to be the favorites for the veteran guard.

In December, the Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman first reported that Dragic had preferred to close out the season with his Slovenian compatriot Luka Doncic. He had played in just five games with Toronto, averaging 8.0 points, 1.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds and 17.9 minutes before leaving Toronto.

The 35-year-old guard joined Toronto this past offseason in the sign-and-trade which sent Kyle Lowry to the Heat, and while his tenure with the Raptors was brief, he has been productive in recent seasons. Dragic averaged 13.4 points and 4.4 rebounds, primarily coming off the bench for Miami last year and was instrumental in Miami's NBA Finals run in the year prior.

NBA Trade Grades: Kings Get Donte DiVencenzo From Bucks in Four-Team Deal

Our first trade of the day is a four-team deal involving a former No. 2 pick and the defending champions

It took until 11:42 a.m. ET for The Athletic's Shams Charania and Sam Amick to alert the NBA world about a trade on Deadline Day. While the initial siren only stated that forward Marvin Bagley III would be heading to the Pistons, the deal turns out to be much broader in scope.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks and Clippers are also involved in the agreement. Here's what the deal looks like, per ESPN:

  • Kings receive: Guard Donte DiVincenzo, forward Trey Lyes and forward Josh Jackson
  • Bucks receive: Forward Serge Ibaka, two second-round picks and cash considerations
  • Clippers receive: Forward Rodney Hood and forward Semi Ojeleye
  • Pistons receive: Forward Marvin Bagley III

DiVincenzo had started 90 games for Milwaukee entering this season, including all 66 that he appeared in last year, but he's played a more limited role in the 2021-22 campaign due to both a December COVID-19 bout and an ankle injury. The Bucks had also opted not to give DiVinvenzo an extension last offseason, setting him up to possibly enter restricted free agency next summer. 

Ibaka, an unrestricted free agent this summer, has similarly played a more diminished role with the Clippers this season. His 15.4 minutes per game average is down from his 23.3 average last year and his per game scoring and rebounding totals are down as a result. Nevertheless, he would appear to provide the Bucks with more frontcourt depth and a big that shoots 38.7% from three. 

The other name to take particular note of is Bagley, Sacramento's No. 2 pick in the 2018 NBA draft. In four seasons with Sacramento, Bagley averaged only 24.8 minutes per contest, and he alternated between a starting and bench role. In mid-October, after not starting the season-opener, Bagley's agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, additionally publicly criticized the organization for its handling of the 23-year-old forward.  

"It's clear they have no plans for him in the future, and yet, passed on potential deals at last year's deadline and this summer based on 'value,'“ Schwartz said at the time. 

Like DiVincenzo, he was not given a rookie extension ahead of last fall's deadline. 

What's the latest with the Harden-Simmons talk?

On Thursday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Harden wants to be traded to the 76ers, but has resisted making a formal request out of fear of public backlash. 

Per ESPN, Harden is hopeful that 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey secures a trade for him prior to Thursday's deadline, but Morey and Nets general manager Sean Marks have yet to become engaged in serious talks on a deal.

Amid the Nets' nine-game losing streak, Brooklyn coach Steve Nash had told reporters that the team was not trading Harden. He reiterated that sentiment on Thursday, saying that Harden will not be traded before the deadline.

Still, Nash's comments have done little to quell public rumors about Harden's future. 

While it does not appear as if talks between the two sides have progressed heavily, The Athletic also reported earlier this week that those within the 76ers strongly believe Harden, who can be an unrestricted free agent this summer, will not re-sign with Brooklyn.

On Monday, ESPN reported that Marks dismissed Morey’s interest in Harden during a January phone call, adding that at the time of the story being published it was the lone, direct communication between the two this season.

Still, according to ESPN, Harden and manager, Lorenzo McCloud, have been searching for an agent to partner with in the short-term to navigate the Brooklyn guard's playing future.

All of this came after The Athletic reported last Friday that Philadelphia was expected to pursue a deal for the guard and Brooklyn was open to discussing the matter.

One possible deal framework

What has Steve Nash said?

Nash told reporters Thursday that Harden will not be moved before the deadline. It was a similar refrain to the one he voiced on Sunday, when he first publicly stated that Brooklyn was not trading Harden. Nash also noted on Deadline Day that he hasn't talk to Harden about a possible move.

Nash is in his second season with the franchise, having taken on the role despite no head or assistant coaching experience. Before taking the Nets job, Nash had served as a player development consultant with the Warriors for five years. There, among other players, he built a relationship with current Nets star Kevin Durant. 

The Hall of Fame guard has amassed a 77–49 record midway through his second season with the team.

“James wants to be here, we’re building with James and we think we have the best chance to win with James," the Nets coach said Sunday.

Where is Harden now?

Harden and forward LaMarcus Aldridge did not accompany the Nets to Washington for Thursday's game, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe. Instead, per ESPN, they stayed behind to work with the Nets' performance coaches. 

Harden has not played since Feb. 2 due to a hamstring injury and he has played just twice since Jan. 25. 

On the season, he is averaging 22.5 points—his lowest total since his third NBA campaign, 10.2 assists and eight rebounds per game. He is also shooting only 41.4% from the field, his lowest mark since his rookie season. 

And then there was this...

Are there other suitors for Simmons?

Not since June 6, 2021 has All-Star guard Ben Simmons put on a 76ers uniform and played in an NBA game. That night, Simmons scored five points on four shot attempts, and while he logged 13 assists and eight rebounds, Philadelphia would lose Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Hawks.

Both a lot, and very little, has happened since. Simmons has elected to remain on the sideline. He first reportedly requested a trade from the franchise in August, yet briefly rejoined the team toward the end of training camp. He then subsequently left the Sixers once again.

In November, The Athletic reported Simmons had reiterated his trade request, and subsequent reports have said he would not return to the team this season. As Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix reported earlier this week, rival teams around the NBA have also been given the impression that if Morey doesn’t get exactly what he wants in a return package, he will punt any decision on Simmons to the summer.

The Hawks have been a team linked to Simmons in recent months as have the Kings, though Sacramento reportedly stopped its pursuit of the All-Star guard at the end of January. In mid-December, reports also linked the Lakers, Knicks, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, Pacers and Cavaliers to Simmons.

Could the Knicks and Lakers come together on a trade?

Last Saturday's 122–115 Lakers overtime win over the Knicks was a matchup of two of more disappointing teams in the league this season. Entering Deadline Day, both are under-.500, with Los Angeles sitting at 26–30 and New York coming in at 24–31. 

According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the two teams have been in discussion in a possible three-deal. As HoopsHype reported, the Knicks, Lakers and Raptors have discussed a three-team deal that would send Alec Burks and Cam Reddish to Los Angeles, Dragic and draft picks to New York and Talen Horton-Tucker and Nerlens Noel to Toronto.

SNY's Ian Begley confirmed the possible framework and reported on Thursday morning that not much progress has been made toward the agreement.

The Knicks added Reddish in a trade with the Hawks on Jan. 13, but he has appeared in only five games with New York since joining the franchise.

Dragic stepped away from the Raptors in late November because of what the team said was a ”personal matter.“ He had played in just five games with Toronto, averaging 8.0 points, 1.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds and 17.9 minutes.

The latest rumors from around the NBA

Here's a look at the latest trade rumblings from around around the league: 

  • Multiple teams have called the Trail Blazers in recent days to try and engage them on trade talks around star guard Damian Lillard. (Marc Stein)
  • If the Kings are going to make a push for the play-in tournament then they have no interest in losing Harrison Barnes in a deal that only nets them future assets. (Sam Amick, The Athletic)
  • Center Myles Turner is expected to remain in Indiana past the deadline. (Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated) 
  • Lakers players feel as though changes need to be made to the roster ahead of the deadline. (Dave McMenamin, ESPN)
  • The Raptors have been active in trade discussions with Goran Dragic being a name floated in various scenarios. (Jake Fischer, Bleacher Report)
  • Every player on the Wizards is available in trade discussions except for Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma. (Matt Moore, The Action Network)
  • The Trail Blazers are involved in talks for Pistons forward Jerami Grant after trading CJ McCollum as they look to retool the roster around Lillard. (Matt Moore, The Action Network)
  • On Tuesday, the Pacers planned not to trade guard Buddy Hield despite interest from other teams. (Zach Lowe, ESPN)
  • The Lakers could pursue Wizards guard Spencer Dinwiddie or Magic guard Terrence Ross before the trade deadline. (Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated) 

Recapping what trades have already happened before Deadline Day

We've already seen a flurry of moves across the NBA. Here's a rundown of what has transpired: 

More NBA Coverage: 

• NBA Trade Deadline: Five Trades Worth Discussing
• NBA Power Rankings: Trade Deadline Advice for Every Team
• Two Teams Who Should Consider Deals and One Powerhouse Flying Under the Radar

Published
Ben Pickman
BEN PICKMAN

Home/NBA