Biggest winners and losers of the NBA trade deadline

Winners of the NBA trade deadline: Daryl Morey

For those who do not know, Daryl Morey is the President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers. On Thursday, the 76ers finally completed the long-rumored deal that sent Ben Simmons and other pieces to the Brooklyn Nets in return for former MVP James Harden.

After conflicting reports early in the week, however, it was unclear exactly how likely this deal was, and what pieces would be involved. Yet, as we all know, the deal did indeed get finished, and it was by far the most impactful move made this deadline.

Harden will immediately become the best player to ever play beside Joel Embiid, and this dynamic duo should be feared throughout the league. We won’t get to see the two players share the court until after the All-Star break, but most people around the league believe they will be an incredible fit.

With Embiid playing at an MVP level this season, it was important for the 76ers to capitalize on his play and pair him with another star. Well on Thursday, Daryl Morey did just that.

Even more impressive, however, is that Morey didn’t settle.

Many felt that the 76ers were never going to get their desired value in return for Ben Simmons, who hasn’t played since last season. Morey was pushed to accept one of the many deals that were allegedly available earlier this season.

Rumors suggested that Morey could have gotten, D’Angelo Russell, CJ McCollum, and maybe even Tyrese Haliburton or De’Aron Fox. However, he stuck to his guns and said that he wouldn’t trade Ben Simmons unless they got a difference-maker in return.

Philly had to package Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round picks to do so, but they certainly got a new difference-maker in the City of Brotherly Love.

Winners honorable mentions: Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Anfernee Simons