2022 NBA Trade Deadline: 3 winners and 3 losers across the league

Winners

#3 Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets executed the biggest trade of the NBA this season [Photo: 6ABC]

Both teams are letting out the loudest sighs of relief this side of the Atlantic ocean. Before the James Harden-Ben Simmons swap, the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers were in shambles.

Simmons refused to play for the Sixers despite millions in fines and could have wasted Joel Embiid’s MVP level season.

The Nets, on the other hand, got a firsthand look at a discontented Harden, which isn’t a pretty sight. The 32-year-old’s frustrations were so apparent that he hardly showed any effort when he was on the floor. Only a nagging hamstring issue saved him from appearing more in Shaqtin’ a Fool.

It remains to be seen how the exchange will benefit both teams immediately this season, but it solves a glaring problem on both sides.

A Nets-76ers Eastern Conference Finals would guarantee a spike in NBA ratings.

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#2 James Harden

James Harden now plays as Joel Embiid's co-star with the Philadelphia 76ers [Photo: Sporting News]

James Harden could have never imagined the whole drama surrounding the Brooklyn Nets this season. He also likely never thought he’d play like a shadow of himself early in the campaign, which only fueled the never-ending controversy surrounding the team.

At some point, the distractions and uncertainties took their toll and forced “The Beard” to retreat to his own self.

When engaged, even a hobbled Harden is still someone to contend with. He showed it in the semifinals last season against the Milwaukee Bucks, where his hamstrings were failing him.

The only city that’s probably not dissing him right now is Philadelphia, where he could form a potentially devastating tandem with the NBA’s leading scorer, Joel Embiid.

Harden’s huge contract could become a head-splitting headache for the Sixers down the road. However, if the former MVP can help deliver a championship in the next two to three years, it’ll be worth the trouble.

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#1 Ben Simmons

The NBA could finally see Ben Simmons play before the season ends [Photo: Philadelphia Inquirer]

Regardless of the circumstances, saving millions in potential fines and getting back on an NBA court is a win. Before the trade, Ben Simmons was fined millions by the Philadelphia 76ers for refusing to play. The trade stops the fines and puts him back where he truly belongs - on a basketball court.

Simmons’ situation in Brooklyn could be tailor-made for him. The Nets will ask him to play to his strengths, which are his defense and playmaking.

Brooklyn’s defensive issues get a major shot in the arm with the versatile Australian in the lineup. He will also allow Steve Nash how to be creative with his lineup.

Nash could roll out Simmons, Kevin Durant, Patty Mills, Seth Curry and Kyrie Irving for a few minutes. The 24-year-old point guard’s size will help them on defense, while his playmaking, with four shooters surrounding him, will be highlighted.

Aside from getting out of Philly, he could also help give Brooklyn its first NBA title while playing alongside Durant and Irving. It’s a win by any stretch of the imagination.