Kendrick Perkins after the Simmons-Harden trade: "Philly is now the best team in the East"
The 76ers and Nets have agreed to a blockbuster trade centered around James Harden and Ben Simmons. According to Kendrick Perkins, the deal is enough to shift the balance of power in favor of Philadelphia.
The biggest Woj Bomb of the season
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets are sending Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round picks -- protected 2022 first-round pick and unprotected 2027 first-round pick -- in exchange for Harden and Paul Millsap.
With two first-round picks on their hands, Brooklyn is expected to be more aggressive in pursuing another deal to enhance their championship chances. The Seth Curry and Andre Drummond acquisitions bolster their depth and add two things the team has been lacking thus far in the season -- shooting and rim protection.
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According to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, the Nets will take their time getting Ben Simmons acclimated. Still, the star guard welcomes a change of scenery and has already had conversations with Kevin Durant, and they’re all on the same page, ready for a hunt at an NBA title.
Kendrick Perkins: "Philly is now the best team in the East"
Talks about this blockbuster deal have been intensifying over the last few weeks. With Kyrie Irving's part-time playing status and Kevin Durant once again dealing with an injury, reports about James Harden's unhappiness with his situation in Brooklyn were getting louder by day.
The move reunites the 32-year old superstar with Daryl Morey after the two spent years working together in Houston. Harden has been at the top of Morey's wishlist ever since he joined the Sixers, and now, he's finally found the way to bring him in.
According to reports, it seemed at one point that the haggling would prevent the trade from happening -- the Nets insisted that the 76ers include Matisse Thybulle in the deal. However, the two sides were able to come up with a solution that works for both teams.
Whether there's a clear-cut winner in this move remains to be seen. But based on Kendrick Perkins' reaction, the 76ers finally have enough to go all the way. "Philly is now the best team in the East," he said.