One thing is certain: Philly, 5th in the standings, seems to have obtained what he was looking for by taking the initiative in this exchange.

First, because the Pennsylvania franchise had been dragging the Simmons case like a drag for many months.

The latter has not yet played the season, the result of a standoff with his now ex-leaders.

Pointed out by coach Doc Rivers for his disappointing performance in the last play-offs, the player, feeling depreciated, no longer wanted to wear the Philly jersey, claiming a psychological block.

In what state of mental and physical shape will he arrive on the side of Brooklyn?

The question arises, concerning the leader passer, three times selected in the All-Star Game, endowed with a complete game, strong defensively and whose scoring is certainly not the strong point.

With him, land two useful players, point guard Seth Curry and pivot Andre Drummond, as well as two future first round draft picks.

But for Brooklyn, the failure of the project formed around a "Big3", with the two other stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, materializes above all.

13 months in Brooklyn

A more profitable strategy than in the past, evidenced by the complicated situation at the Lakers, as the mayonnaise is struggling to take between LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, a departure from the latter being the subject of speculation.

James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets against the Phoenix Suns, February 1, 2022 in Phoenix Christian Petersen GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives

The Nets' fire trio only worked with rare sparks during the second part of the previous exercise, then during the first part of the current one, each having been injured in turn, when the Covid did not go away. is not mixed, Irving being always prohibited from playing in New York, because not vaccinated.

And here, before the last third of the regular season, the Nets in bad shape in the standings since they vegetate in 8th place, synonymous with dams imposed for the play-offs, after nine defeats in a row.

A series in progress, which is mainly explained by the absence, for several weeks, of "KD" injured in a knee.

In recent days, Harden, three-time top scorer in the league (2018, 2019, 2020) has shown unusual lapses in attack and has been dragging his sneakers on the floors.

Without expressing himself further, his message was clear: he wanted to join the Sixers, even if it meant blurring his image a little more, because he ultimately only stayed 13 months in Brooklyn.

Ibaka at the Bucks

In Philadelphia, "The Beard", MVP of the 2018 season will find Daryl Morey, his former general manager at the Rockets, who had also unsuccessfully tried to enlist him last year.

And above all, he will be associated with the pivot Joel Embiid, currently in very good shape, to the point of being a candidate for the MVP trophy.

This time Doc Rivers will not be able to deplore the absence of a sizeable offensive weapon in his team, which also welcomes veteran winger Paul Millsap in the transaction.

Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers, ball in hand against the San Antonio Spurs, August 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista (Florida) Mike Ehrmann GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives

A few hours before the end of the transfer window, it is therefore a very big transfer which is concluded, in the cloud of other more or less notable, because it is likely to upset the race for the coronation in the NBA.

Earlier Wednesday, Serge Ibaka was traded by the Clippers to the defending champions Bucks in a four-team trade.

The 32-year-old Spanish center will bolster Milwaukee's home side alongside star Giannis Antetokounmpo, while Brook Lopez is sidelined with a back injury.

The Bucks traded guard Rodney Hood and winger Semi Ojeleye to the Clippers and point guard Donte DiVincenzo to the Sacramento Kings to LA.

The Wizards traded inside Montrezl Harrell, the best sixth man last year, to the Hornets and traded point guard Spencer Dinwiddie for Latvian center Kristaps Porzingis from the Mavericks.

© 2022 AFP