LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 03: Kevin Durant #7, Kyrie Irving #11, and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets get together during a time out in the first half of a preseason game against Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant reacted to the news of teammate James Harden departing the team to join the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster deal.
Harden got his move on deadline in a deal that sees him join the Sixers alongside Paul Millsap. The Nets, meanwhile, have acquired Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and future draft picks. This comes just a year after Harden joined the Nets to join Irving and Durant.
However, the trio could start only 16 games together, with a record of 13-3 during that time. The move also means that Harden will pick up his $47,366,760 player option for the 2022-23 season. Now, his teammate Kyrie Irving has reacted to the news of his departure. He said in the post match conference: (h/t CBS)
“It’s not really my place in terms of trying to convince somebody of something that they probably can’t see right now. James probably couldn’t see what we were getting into. Obviously, with my status being in-and-out, I saw a few things that maybe could have impacted things. But who knows?… I can’t really speak for James.”
Harden will now pair with Joel Embiid, the MVP frontrunner this season. Embiid is averaging 29 PPG, 10.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists this season. It will be interesting to see how coach Doc Rivers implements Harden into the Sixers’ system.
Nets’ star Kevin Durant has been missing due to injury in 2022. Selected as a team captain in the NBA All-Star draft, he will now watch from the sidelines during the game in Cleveland.
Durant had his say on his former teammate’s departure on “NBA on TNT” during a live telecast of the All-Star draft with LeBron James. He said:
“I’m excited for our team, looking forward to finishing the season out with this new group and these new players. Playoff right around the corner, so we gotta fast track getting used to each other, but I’m excited. I think everybody got what they wanted.”
Durant will be hoping to return withing 4-6 weeks after an MCL sprain to his knee. He will look to welcome a Ben Simmons, who had a troubled year with the Sixers. We will wait and see how the trade works out when the Sixers face the Nets on March 10.
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