The Brooklyn Nets have had a lot of roster turnover over the course of the last two seasons. Most recently, they traded James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers for a Ben Simmons-centered package.
Many have criticized the Brooklyn Nets for their moves over the last few years, but it definitely hasn’t turned out that horribly. In the original 4-team James Harden from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets, the Brooklyn Nets sent out Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, Taurean Prince, Rodions Kurucs, and three first-round picks, along with four pick swaps to get James Harden.
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Nets: James Harden
Indiana Pacers Receive: Caris LeVert, 2nd-rounder
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince
Houston Rockets Receive: Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, 3 BKN first-round picks (2022, 2024, 2026), 1 MIL first-round pick (2022, unprotected), 4 BKN 1st round swaps (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027)
The Brooklyn Nets then moved James Harden and Paul Millsap (who was signed as a free agent) in order to acquire Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and Andre Drummond. The Brooklyn Nets also got two first-round picks from the Philadelphia 76ers, so that cancels out two of the picks that they sent out to acquire James Harden in the first place.
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, 2022 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick (protected 1-8)
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: James Harden, Paul Millsap
Thus, the Brooklyn Nets essentially converted Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, Taurean Prince, Paul Millsap, Rodions Kurucs, and a pick into Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and Andre Drummond. When one looks at their moves from this lens, their transactions aren’t bad at all.
Hopefully, trading for Ben Simmons gets the Brooklyn Nets closer to their goal of winning a championship. He seems like a solid player to pair with two electric scorers in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and when their team gets fully healthy they should be a contender.
Credit for Idea: u/mojoembiid on Reddit
