Australian NBA star Ben Simmons is reportedly on the move to Brooklyn in a massive NBA trade deadline deal that sends former MVP James Harden to Philadelphia.
The Athletic's Shams Charania and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and draft picks will go to the Nets, while Harden, Paul Millsap and draft assets will be sent to Philly.
The reported deal ends an ugly stand-off between the 76ers and Simmons, who asked to be traded in the off-season and has not suited up for a game this season.
Simmons's soon-to-be-former 76ers teammate Joel Embiid tweeted out a meme relating to a man going to his "biggest hater's funeral just to make sure [they are] dead".
The trade unites Simmons with former MVP Kevin Durant, NBA champion Kyrie Irving, and fellow Aussie Patty Mills.
If Simmons can take to the court and rediscover some form in New York, the deal has the potential to shake up the eastern conference standings, with the once high-flying Nets having slipped to eighth during a nine-game losing streak.
Durant has been sidelined recently with a sprained ligament in his left knee and Irving is still ineligible to play at home as he has not been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Harden, who only arrived in Brooklyn from Houston in January last year, has often looked disinterested during the Nets' recent struggles, particularly on the defensive end, where Simmons shines.
Harden, the 2018 league MVP, provides some much-needed shooting in the primary ball-handler role for the Sixers, which was not the case when Simmons had the job.
When Simmons returns to the court is not yet known.
The official reason he has been sitting out games this season has been a back issue, and he has admitted to having some struggles mentally during this time.
The 25-year-old's agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN his client was eager to get on the court with the Nets this season.
"We've got work to do to get him back to play, but it's a great step in the right direction," Paul was quoted as saying by Wojnarowski.
