James Harden traded to Philadelphia 76ers in blockbuster move as Ben Simmons heads to Brooklyn Nets

By Ben Morse, CNN

Updated 1207 GMT (2007 HKT) February 11, 2022

James Harden tries to drive past Ben Simmons during the second half of a game on Saturday, February 6, 2021.

(CNN)The NBA's trade deadline took place on Thursday, and fans were served some eye-catching deals.

The headline of the day was the blockbuster trade that saw James Harden go to the Philadelphia 76ers and Ben Simmons travel in the opposite direction to the Brooklyn Nets. Rumors of Harden's desire to leave Brooklyn had been percolating recently, while Simmons hasn't played all season in an effort to force a move away from the 76ers. They both got their wishes on Thursday. Alongside Harden, the 76ers will receive Paul Millsap, while the 76ers sent Simmons, Seth Curry and Andre Drummond to Brooklyn, as well as two first round draft picks. Read MoreHarden dribbles during the first half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs.The move comes just 13 months after the Nets acquired 2018 NBA MVP Harden to play alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. However, injuries and other factors — including Irving's Covid-19 vaccination status, meaning he could only feature intermittently — have seen the Nets' «Big Three» only take to the floor 16 times together. And while they looked impressive during those 16 outings with Harden a free agent this summer; the Nets decided to move him on rather than lose him for nothing or pay him a huge contract. Durant, who was appearing on TNT's coverage of the NBA All-Star Game draft as one of the captains, said he was «happy we got guys who want to be part of this» when asked about the trade. He also made it pretty clear he didn't want Harden on his All-Star team. With the option of selecting him, Durant chose other players, even on