The James Harden era is over with a whimper and, in some ways, a sigh of relief.
After weeks of speculation, rumors that Harden wanted out, was unhappy with the situation in Brooklyn, which was wrapped around a nine-game losing streak and a number of games where he would sit with a "knee injury," the Nets finally had enough and traded him away to Philadelphia.
It says a lot that the Nets were more than willing to ship Harden to a division rival, and they got a hell of a haul in return.
By trading Harden, the Nets acquire All-Star Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond, Seth Curry and two first round picks. For the Sixers to be that much in love with Harden, who could turn free agent at the end of the year, it's a huge gamble for them.
The Nets are hoping that by subtracting one distraction, and getting three quality players in return they can get back on track as a basketball team.
That said, it's not like Simmons hasn't been a pain in the neck for Philly either. He hasn't played in a game this season, and has been involved in a tense contract stand-off with the Sixers. He too wanted to be traded.
So in many ways it was one disgruntled player for another.
Even though the Nets get Simmons and two good young players in Curry and Drummond, it's hard not to look at this run by the Nets as nothing more than a failure.
Harden was supposed to be the final piece to the "Big Three"with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The Nets looked the other way when Harden was making people miserable with his lack of effort in Houston a year ago, and decided it was worth trading draft picks and young, promising players to get him.
It didn't work. The "Big Three" played only eight games together last season.
This year, Irving has refused to get vaccinated against COVID, and is only a part-time player. Durant, who has had trouble staying healthy since coming to Brooklyn, has been out for a month now due to a MCL sprain.
The Nets are now teetering on the brink of missing the playoffs, and are in the midst of a nine-game losing streak.
Yes, the Nets got rid of a problem, but they do so, fully aware their attempt at being a super team in the East has been a colossal failure.
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