I also was an advocate for Philly last offseason, and had zero faith in Ben Simmons prior to last season. Players like that aren’t built to be the focal point of a championship team, and last season showed exactly that. Many of my friends disagreed, but their eyes were opened in the playoffs. The radio tore Harden apart when it was between the Nets and Sixers last offseason, but they too have seen the light.
Harden is a generational talent, and his ability to win from anywhere on the floor, along with his ability as a passer opens so much up for Joel, another player who can win anywhere. Was very clear to me when Harden was in Houston. Hopefully now Sixers can win a title. The trade was an absolute win for the Philly side. Simmons was never playing for Philly again, just like Watson with the Texans, so offloading him for anything would improve them. I wanted them to move Simmons last year for the best offer. They lost depth in this trade, both Drummond and Curry were good role players, but if you’re giving up that for a once in a lifetime guy like Harden, it’s worth it. The Sixers missing out on him last year was arguably better anyway, as they didn’t need to give up Thible or Maxey in this trade, which they would have with Houston. And the firsts are mostly irrelevant. The one should be late, and the other is so far out that projecting it at all is worthless.