How Ben Simmons, James Harden trade affects the Cavs
How Ben Simmons, James Harden trade affects the Cavs: The Good
The Simmons – Harden bomb of a trade is not all doom-and-gloom for the Cavs. There are legitimate silver linings, and not just ways to spin the narrative to make Cleveland fans feel better. Multiple angles suggest some positives for the Cavs.
For the Brooklyn Nets, they have to integrate a player in just 26 games who has not played a single NBA minute this season. When he last played he was wilting under postseason pressure and passing up open layups in a Game 7. The best version of the Brooklyn Nets was the best offense of all time, and that possibility is now gone. Even at his best, Simmons’ offensive impact — especially in the postseason — is muted. With Kyrie Irving still only eligible for road games, building chemistry with this group will be a difficult task.
The 76ers on the other hand can’t simply be evaluated on how their title odds for this season improved; the opportunity cost has to be taken into account as well. Adding Harden is a major move that gives them a legitimate co-star for Joel Embiid (yes, at this point in their careers and given the season Embiid is having, Harden is the #2 in Philly) but he is far from a perfect fit. Harden wants the ball in his hands, which would mean it’s not in the hands of the MVP frontrunner. He is also a problem defensively, and the 76ers are unlikely to run a switching scheme to make up for Harden’s shortcomings.
There are other potential deals out there that could have brought back a co-star that fits better with Embiid. That may have been Damian Lillard in a universe where he had a more certain health diagnosis and Portland decided to tear down. Bradley Beal, Jaylen Brown, John Collins, De’Aaron Fox — would those players plus Seth Curry have been a better overall fit and boost to Philadelphia’s title odds? None of those deals materialized, but it’s not like the James Harden trade was fait accompli all season either.
The Philadelphia 76ers have stepped up into the tier of contenders, and the Brooklyn Nets are still residing firmly there assuming Kevin Durant returns. Both Ben Simmons and James Harden will get to play meaningful postseason basketball. The Cavs did not win with this trade, but it’s not all bad for a team that can afford to be patient as its young stars grow.