Ben Simmons makes bombshell move to NBA contenders in long-awaited trade

Ben Simmons will join Patty Mills at the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster multi-player NBA trade by Philadelphia for James Harden that could have huge ramifications on the Boomers.

The Sixers have sent Australian luminary Simmons, their disgruntled All-Star, guard Seth Curry and centre Andre Drummond to the Nets in a deal for Harden made before Friday’s (AEST) deadline.

The Sixers will also get Paul Millsap and the Nets get draft picks, according to Associated Press sources, while the 76ers reportedly held firm to keep fellow Australian Matisse Thybulle from joining Simmons in Brooklyn as part of the trade.

It will pair Simmons, who hasn’t played for Australia since 2013, with Olympic flagbearer and Tokyo bronze medal hero Mills, who has flourished since moving to Brooklyn from San Antonio this season.

Simmons hasn’t played this season for the Sixers following a trade demand centred largely around hurt feelings coming off last season’s playoff loss.

The Melbourne guard averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists over four seasons with Philadelphia, who drafted him out of LSU, where he played only one season.

His defining moment as a Sixer came when he passed up a wide-open dunk against Atlanta in the second round of last year’s play-offs that would have tied the game late in Game 7.

Simmons was then hurt by criticism from teammate Joel Embiid and coach Doc Rivers over his role in Philly’s early post-season exit.

After the trade, Embiid shared a meme indicating he was glad to see the back of Simmons.

If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your .

To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.

Simmons made a surprise return to the Sixers shortly before the season opened, but was