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NBA Trade Deadline: Grading all 30 teams on their trades

By Josh Cornelissen

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on February 09, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on February 09, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trade Deadline
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 06: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center on February 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, NBA Trade Deadline: Grading all 30 teams on their trades. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

NBA Trade Deadline Grades: The Blockbuster

Brooklyn Nets

This year’s trade deadline saw one of the biggest deadline deals in league history go down, with former MVP James Harden (and Paul Millsap) dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and a pair of first-round picks.

The Nets don’t get to see their Big 3 together again, but now they have a younger, cheaper player under contract for a long time.

Simmons should be an excellent fit on the Brooklyn Nets, especially with Seth Curry helping to stretch the court. Defensively, he can be anywhere he is asked to be, and his size and versatility make him the best defender on the Nets. Brooklyn was reeling just a few days ago, and now they have retooled with a balanced roster ready to make a run. I love this deal for the Nets.

Grade: A

Philadelphia 76ers

There are two ways to look at this deal for the 76ers. The first is the big picture management of Ben Simmons; the “sins” of that relationship came much sooner than the deadline, so we aren’t penalizing them here.

Going from a “0” to an All-Star in James Harden materially boosts their title chances for this year and at least the next couple, which is meaningful. The 76ers weren’t winning the title a few days ago; now they have a chance.

Let’s not overstate things, though. They gave up one of the league’s best shooters in Seth Curry and one of the league’s better backup bigs in Andre Drummond. Neither has a ready-made replacement on the roster, although Isaiah Joe and Paul Reed will get a chance to step up. Add in the two first-round picks, and it was a hefty package to send for Harden.

Were there other moves out there that would have been a better long-term return for the 76ers? Perhaps. But it’s also difficult to think something was waiting that would boost their title chances in the short-term more than adding Harden.

His next contract is going to be painful, and he continues to disappoint in the postseason, but this was likely the best way to maximize an MVP season from Joel Embiid.

Grade: B