NBA world reacts to blockbuster James Harden-Ben Simmons trade

After a drawn-out period of rumors and speculation surrounding a James Harden-for-Ben Simmons deal, Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers have finalized a move for the Brooklyn Nets’ superstar.Bleacher Report@BleacherReportThe Nets are trading James Harden to the Sixers in a deal for Ben Simmons, per @ShamsCharania @NBAonTNT11:49 AM · Feb 10, 2022448778712The Nets are trading James Harden to the Sixers in a deal for Ben Simmons, per @ShamsCharania @NBAonTNT https://t.co/5VF7PKJErYOn Thursday, the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers reportedly agreed to a major deal, causing a lot of change to the current landscape of the season.The Nets gave up Harden, a former MVP, and Paul Millsap in exchange for Simmons, sharpshooter Seth Curry and big-man Andre Drummond. Additionally, Morey gave away two future picks – 2022 first-round pick (unprotected) and a 2027 first-round pick (protected).It is very rare that a player who has not played a single game in the season attracts so much attention in the trade market. There are still no reports on Simmons’ timetable on suiting up for the Brooklyn Nets. Meanwhile, Harden may have boosted the 76ers’ roster on paper, but how much of a problem his hamstring issues will be is still a question mark.The announcement of the trade has caused quite a stir within the NBA world. Twitter is now handling a roar of reactions to the trade, here are some:Joel “Troel” Embiid@JoelEmbiid12:08 PM · Feb 11, 202226113065357https://t.co/OzKxG4HRlOAndrew Schlecht@AndrewKSchlechtI’m excited to hear the next Steve Nash presser11:58 AM · Feb 10, 2022573I’m excited to hear the next Steve Nash presserMeek Mill@MeekMillSixers got Jh ….. we about to go to the chip off the rip 12:00 PM · Feb 11, 2022134182619Sixers got Jh ….. we about to go to the chip off the rip 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎C.J. Toledano@CJToledanoDoc canceled practice so he could say goodbye to his grandkids11:47 AM · Feb 10, 202290761039Doc canceled practice so he could say goodbye to his grandkidsStatMuse@statmuseWho has the better Big 2.5? Nets or Lakers?12:33 PM · Feb 11, 20222082121Who has the better Big 2.5? Nets or Lakers? https://t.co/0BSBe1k4yrChris Milholen@CMilholenSBThe Nets - Sixers rivalry can officially be called a rivalry.12:18 PM · Feb 11, 202212021The Nets - Sixers rivalry can officially be called a rivalry.Tommy Beer@TommyBeerMy god, Nets-Sixers in a 7-game playoff series would be so much fun12:35 PM · Feb 11, 202212914My god, Nets-Sixers in a 7-game playoff series would be so much funRamona Shelburne@ramonashelburneBen Simmons ends up in New York, on a team he fits great on, with a chance to compete for a championship. After everything he and his agent Rich Paul went through to get here, that’s a strong resolution considering where this started last spring. twitter.com/ramonashelburn…Ramona Shelburne@ramonashelburneBen Simmons will continue to work with his therapist to get mentally ready to play in Brooklyn. “It’s a work in progress,” according to one source close to him. But he’s thrilled with the change of scenery and has already spoken to Kevin Durant. twitter.com/wojespn/status…12:15 PM · Feb 11, 2022690114Ben Simmons will continue to work with his therapist to get mentally ready to play in Brooklyn. “It’s a work in progress,” according to one source close to him. But he’s thrilled with the change of scenery and has already spoken to Kevin Durant. twitter.com/wojespn/status…Ben Simmons ends up in New York, on a team he fits great on, with a chance to compete for a championship. After everything he and his agent Rich Paul went through to get here, that’s a strong resolution considering where this started last spring. twitter.com/ramonashelburn…Michael K-B@therealmikekbThe #sixers really landed James Harden without giving up Tyrese Maxey or Matisse Thybullle. Impressive.11:50 AM · Feb 10, 20225009515The #sixers really landed James Harden without giving up Tyrese Maxey or Matisse Thybullle. Impressive.Quinton Mayo@RealQuintonMayoLive look at Daryl Morey after completing the Ben Simmons for James Harden trade:11:55 AM · Feb 10, 2022733191Live look at Daryl Morey after completing the Ben Simmons for James Harden trade: https://t.co/1vDJqH2oN3Dan Greenberg@StoolGreenieDaryl won! twitter.com/shamscharania/…Shams Charania@ShamsCharaniaBREAKING: The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are finalizing trade sending James Harden for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and draft picks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.11:46 AM · Feb 10, 2022856BREAKING: The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are finalizing trade sending James Harden for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and draft picks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.Daryl won! twitter.com/shamscharania/…Dan Greenberg@StoolGreenieWe NEED a PHI/BKN playoff series. NEED.11:47 AM · Feb 10, 202290176We NEED a PHI/BKN playoff series. NEED.John Clark@JClarkNBCS“I would like to see James Harden in Philly. That’s something I would love to see”-DeVonta Smith is in LA for the Super Bowl. He goes to Sixers games but he doesn’t want them to give up too muchLive report from LA at 6:20pm on @NBCPhiladelphia4:25 AM · Feb 10, 20221796154“I would like to see James Harden in Philly. That’s something I would love to see”-DeVonta Smith is in LA for the Super Bowl. He goes to Sixers games but he doesn’t want them to give up too muchLive report from LA at 6:20pm on @NBCPhiladelphia https://t.co/aMxFtvo1EkTrevor Lane@Trevor_LaneLike the trade for the Nets, they got some pieces!11:54 AM · Feb 10, 202232413Like the trade for the Nets, they got some pieces!Marc Stein@TheSteinLine*Ben Simmons hasn't played an NBA game since June 2021. He still ends up headlining a trade for James Harden.*Harden forced Houston to trade him in January 2021 and forced Brooklyn to trade him 13 months later ... after just 16 games beside KD and Kyrie.#DealZone #thisleague twitter.com/TheSteinLine/s…Marc Stein@TheSteinLine#dealzone #thisleague11:58 AM · Feb 10, 2022719150#dealzone #thisleague*Ben Simmons hasn't played an NBA game since June 2021. He still ends up headlining a trade for James Harden.*Harden forced Houston to trade him in January 2021 and forced Brooklyn to trade him 13 months later ... after just 16 games beside KD and Kyrie.#DealZone #thisleague twitter.com/TheSteinLine/s…Derek Bodner@DerekBodnerNBAIt took 9 months, but the end result is the Sixers got to the trade deadline with a 32-22 record, 2.5 games out of the top seed, and acquired James Harden.Maxey, Harden, Thybulle, Harris and Embiid, with Milton, Korkmaz, Green, Niang and Millsap off the bench.11:56 AM · Feb 10, 20221553173It took 9 months, but the end result is the Sixers got to the trade deadline with a 32-22 record, 2.5 games out of the top seed, and acquired James Harden.Maxey, Harden, Thybulle, Harris and Embiid, with Milton, Korkmaz, Green, Niang and Millsap off the bench.Field Yates@FieldYatesJames Harden’s hamstring now:12:02 PM · Feb 11, 2022136221844James Harden’s hamstring now: https://t.co/ygarTj6dMzJonathan Feigen@Jonathan_FeigenBetter phrase to emerge from James Harden's Brooklyn era? &quot;Scary hours&quot; or &quot;Deal Zone.&quot; I kind of like &quot;scary hours.&quot; &quot;Deal zone&quot; sounds like a car commercial that comes on too often during local broadcasts of games.12:53 PM · Feb 11, 2022212Better phrase to emerge from James Harden's Brooklyn era? &quot;Scary hours&quot; or &quot;Deal Zone.&quot; I kind of like &quot;scary hours.&quot; &quot;Deal zone&quot; sounds like a car commercial that comes on too often during local broadcasts of games.Anthony Puccio@APOOCHBrooklyn’s “Scary Hours” Big 3 finishes 13-3 over two seasons.11:50 AM · Feb 10, 20221874274Brooklyn’s “Scary Hours” Big 3 finishes 13-3 over two seasons.Bleacher Report@BleacherReportHarden has played with some ELITE talent in his career:Kevin DurantRussell WestbrookKyrie IrvingChris PaulAnd now, Joel Embiid.12:30 PM · Feb 11, 20227413678Harden has played with some ELITE talent in his career:Kevin DurantRussell WestbrookKyrie IrvingChris PaulAnd now, Joel Embiid. https://t.co/ONLLyqDvLiThis is the second time Harden has asked to be traded from a team. He left the Houston Rockets during the 2020-21 season to join the Nets. He probably felt his chances of winning the title were bleak with the Nets considering Kevin Durant’s injury and Kyrie Irving playing part-time. Ben Simmons for James Harden, which franchise won the deal? The Brooklyn Nets (29-25) are eighth in the East, fighting to secure a playoff spot. Skill-wise, partnering high-energy creator Ben Simmons with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving makes them a force to be reckoned with. Simmons has not played a single game this season after a poor showing in a playoff exit. There is still concern over his contribution on the offensive end.Seth Curry has averaged 15 points and 4 assists in 45 games this season, shooting 40% from beyond the arc. He could turn into a consistent 3-point threat for the Nets. Andre Drummond has played limited minutes for the 76ers but could add experience to Brooklyn’s rotation.Shams Charania@ShamsCharaniaAs part of deal, new 76ers star James Harden is opting into his $47.3 million player option on contract for next season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.12:27 PM · Feb 11, 2022196822968As part of deal, new 76ers star James Harden is opting into his $47.3 million player option on contract for next season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.The Philadelphia 76ers (32-22) are fifth in the East, reaping the benefits of Joel Embiid’s growth. The duo of Embiid and James Harden could be very strong if they’re able to figure things out. Embiid was disappointed by Simmons’ performance last season, and upgrading for Harden could be just the push 76ers needed for a realistic title chance.Paul Millsap faced problems with Nets coach Steve Nash and refused to play, requesting a trade after playing just 24 games. His veteran presence will provide depth for the 76ers during the playoffs.The Philadelphia 76ers, right now, are in a better place to exploit the positives of this trade. For the Brooklyn Nets, a lot still depends on Kevin Durant’s return in good health. It is too soon to say who won the deal, but the 76ers have a lot of active fire power in their team.