By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Philadelphia 76ers will acquire James Harden and Paul Millsap via trade sending Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The draft selections are currently set in 2022 and 2027. The pick in the upcoming draft is unprotected, while the 2027 pick is protected, as noted by Wojnarowski in a separate tweet.
Harden, 32, wanted to be traded but fell shy of formally requesting a move from the Nets ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, as reported earlier by Wojnarowski. The 2018 MVP and 10-time All-Star was traded from the Houston Rockets to the Nets about one year ago. He spent nine seasons at Houston after three years with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The experienced guard has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury the past week. He averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 assists, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per 2021-22 contest before being forced to the injury list.
Millsap, 36, was seeking a trade and last played in mid-January. He had 3.4 points per game to start his 16th NBA campaign.
Simmons, 25, has yet to play this season after requesting a trade away from the Sixers during the offseason. He had made his way to 307 NBA games through four seasons at Philadelphia before the holdout. The Australian point forward is expected to return to action in the bottom end of the 2021-22 season.
Drummond, 28, put up 6.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks per contest.
Curry, 31, produced 15.0 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game this season.
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