When Will James Harden Play His First Game for Philadelphia 76ers?

The big move is finally official! Following weeks of suspense and anticipation, James Harden and Ben Simmons have finally switched franchises. In a blockbuster deal, Harden was swapped with the 25-year-old, along with some added clauses. This means that after a phenomenal partnership with Kevin Durant, the 32-year-old will team up with powerhouse Joel Embiid. But when exactly will ‘The Beard’ make his debut for the Sixers?

Why did Brooklyn Nets trade James Harden to Philadelphia 76ers?

Thirteen months ago, the Nets acquired former MVP James Harden in a league-altering move. With him pairing up with Durant and Kyrie Irving, the terrific trio was complete. On the other hand, Harden was out of contract during this summer. As a result, word regarding his potential intent to leave was already in full swing. Yet, coach Steve Nash denied his exit merely five days before it unfolded.

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Citing an end of the journey, Brooklyn decided that it wasn’t worth the wait, till the end of the 2022 season. Accordingly, they began listening to offers during the winter market. Moreover, reports claimed that James himself was keen on joining Philly. Thus, the deal was almost sealed and delivered. Finally, Brooklyn received Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two picks. On the other hand, Philadelphia received James Harden and Paul Millsap.

Is James Harden injured?

The big question remains, when will the 10-time All-Star feature for the Sixers? Unfortunately, Harden has been out injured since February 2nd. On that night, he managed a poor 4-point outing, in a loss to the Sacramento Kings. Following this, he missed all the games due to a hamstring injury. He isn’t the only one, as Durant has also been on the sidelines, following a knee problem.

Still looking for the coveted NBA championship, the star guard has missed a couple of games on the bounce. Having missed Brooklyn’s most recent game against the Wizards, he is unlikely to feature in Philly’s outing vs the Thunder. And although his return is uncertain, the big man could return either against the Cavaliers on Saturday, or Celtics on Tuesday.

Will Ben Simmons be a better fit for Brooklyn Nets than Harden?

As the big move got finalized, KD was seemingly excited for the times ahead. Interestingly, both the players’ numbers (#13 and #25) have been retired by their new franchises. But is Ben Simmons going to be effective for the Nets? Thankfully for them, the former All-Defensive Team member has age on his side. At just 25, he has a long future ahead of him.

Characteristically, Brooklyn’s problems lie in their defense. With a struggling success rate, big Ben can strengthen that side of things. With his versatility, Simmons can slot in almost anywhere. He has the likes of Durant and Irving around him, meaning that he can ease his way into the groove without much pressure. Another aspect where Simmons perhaps ranks higher than even Harden, is in transition. He will act as a vital pivot for Brooklyn.

The challenges, however, lie in the fact that the guard struggles with long distance shooting; something that the Nets often rely on during clutch situations. He also may find it tough to shine, playing alongside a star-studded lineup after a long hiatus. Nonetheless, his position close to the rim may just work out.

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Which of the two sides do you think is happier right now? It will be interesting to see how both returns phase out. Bring on Brooklyn vs Philadelphia on March 10th!