Why moving him to Philadelphia now makes sense

Placing apart the likelihood that the Nets get a further participant and draft decide compensation in a possible commerce, the Harden-for-Simmons swap by itself carries a variety of advantages for them. For starters, the Nets considerably enhance their protection. It has been league-average all through the season however they’ve had one of many worst defensive scores for the reason that new yr. What higher strategy to swing the pendulum than so as to add arguably one of the best perimeter defender within the league?

One of many points in buying and selling for Simmons is that his incapability to shoot requires a roster with sufficient shooters to place round him. The Nets can accommodate that as a result of when they’re absolutely wholesome and accessible, they’ve greater than sufficient offensive weapons. Having two elite scorers in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving places Simmons able to succeed off the ball. Simmons can also deal with the ball nicely sufficient to often take stress off the opposite All-Stars. A frontcourt of Simmons and Durant can permit the Nets to roll a few of the finest small-ball lineups within the league. There may be loads of optimism that Simmons can be an ideal basketball slot in Brooklyn.

Simmons can be nonetheless simply 25 years previous and doubtless has some extra room to enhance. He earns $33 million this season and is set to earn $35.5 million, $37.9 million, and $40.3 million over the next three seasons. That contract might mission to have extra constructive worth than Harden doubtlessly making $55 million per yr. The financial savings can open up a variety of alternatives for Brooklyn.

For instance, a commerce the place Brooklyn takes again Simmons and a further wage filler like Maxey for Harden and one veteran minimal wage would save them near $60 million in payroll and luxurious tax financial savings. They may additionally generate a commerce exception price $11.3 million, the distinction between Harden and Simmons’ salaries. The Nets at the moment have $11.45 million and $6.3 million commerce exceptions that may go unused as a consequence of how costly the staff at the moment is. They may develop into motivated to make the most of their commerce exceptions after saving a lot cash.

For Philadelphia, Embiid and Harden have the potential to type one of the harmful pick-and-roll partnerships within the league. The concept Harden might unlock extra issues from Embiid offensively is scary. Most significantly, the Sixers get a ball-dominant guard who will likely be their go-to perimeter scorer in late-game conditions. The Sixers might be thought-about favorites to make it out the East this season.

What the Sixers want to determine is how a lot stuff are they keen to provide the Nets along with Simmons. A deal the place the Sixers simply embrace the mandatory $2.4 million wage filler along with Simmons to match for Harden appears justifiable sufficient on each side given every participant’s possible tractory. However with Simmons on strike and comfortably forfeiting near $20 million already this season to not play, the Nets ought to have some extra leverage on this state of affairs regardless of Harden’s need to be a Sixer.

Maxey might be the lynchpin in negotiations. Brooklyn would in all probability like a younger backcourt expertise like him to exchange Harden and to be insurance coverage for Irving. They may ask for Thybulle if they need extra defensive assist, however filling up their backcourt might be extra urgent. Curry looks as if the glad medium along with draft compensation, however that looks as if a package deal that might be accessible within the offseason. Requiring not less than certainly one of Maxey or Thybulle might be the motivation for Brooklyn to commerce Harden now.

The thought of paying Harden his most extension quantity is what begins making this appear to be a dangerous acquisition on the again finish. This particularly rings true 5 years from now when Harden is incomes near $62 million at age 37. Positive, Harden’s type might translate nicely and evolve in a constructive means as he ages. Have a look at about-to-be 37-year-old Chris Paul. Nevertheless it’s additionally attainable we may be trying again at this because the Sixers doing the Nets a favor. For the Sixers, the race to win a title in opposition to a doubtlessly quickly depreciating contract would instantly begin.