2022 NBA Trade Deadline: Ranking the 5 best trades across the league

#3 Brooklyn Nets acquire Seth Curry

Seth Curry's outside shooting will be invaluable for the Brooklyn Nets [Photo: NBA.com]

The James Harden-Ben Simmons swap also included Seth Curry in the equation. Without Kyrie Irving in home games and with Kevin Durant still recovering from an injury, Curry’s outside shooting will be invaluable.

Joe Harris, the Brooklyn Nets’ three-point specialist, remains out and could be sidelined for an extended time. Curry could take that spot and give the Nets more options while waiting for Durant and Simmons to suit up.

The Brooklyn Nets ranked first in the NBA's three-point field goal percentage before Harris’ injury. Having Curry in the lineup will greatly help fill Brooklyn’s outside shooting vacuum after Harris injured his ankle.

The most interesting part will come when KD, Simmons and Irving are all available. Curry’s a 43.7% career three-point shooter and will get more than his fair share of open looks when his superstar teammates are around.

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#2 Philadelphia 76ers acquire James Harden

How Joel Embiid and James Harden can mesh could make or break the Philadelphia 76ers' season [Photo: Sporting News]

The Philadelphia 76ers desperately wanted to maximize Joel Embiid’s championship window, so getting James Harden could get them over the top. As long as “The Beard” is healthy and engaged, the Sixers have one of the most devastating offensive weapons in the NBA.

Harden, though, is having a subpar campaign so far. While he has shown flashes of Houston Rockets Harden, he’s also still prone to head-shaking performances. The Philadelphia 76ers were willing to risk that rather than deal with the Ben Simmons standoff. For the Sixers, Harden’s up-and-down production is a better alternative than their previous point guard’s holdout.

If James Harden and Joel Embiid develop a solid two-man game, the Philadelphia 76ers will be a tough matchup for any team in the NBA playoffs.

Additionally, Philly still have their most significant contributors to help the superstar pairing of Embiid and Harden. They should be primed for another deep playoff run if they stay healthy.

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#1 Brooklyn Nets acquire Ben Simmons

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired Ben Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers

The NBA's most tenuous and well-chronicled saga ended when the James Harden-Ben Simmons exchange happened. Brooklyn traded a superstar who has had enough of the Nets drama and acquired a versatile former All-Star who would gladly play anywhere except in Philly.

Ben Simmons is only 24 and will be signed until the NBA 2024-25 season. Although his offense was the main reason for the whole Philly fiasco, it will be his defense and playmaking that could help the Nets capture their first-ever championship.

The Brooklyn Nets front office should be salivating at what Simmons can do on defense. He’s a legitimate DPOY contender who can take on different defensive assignments. There’s also the fact that he’s been one of the best facilitators in the game, particularly when surrounded by shooters.

Ben Simmons, surrounded by Patty Mills, Seth Curry, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving (home games), will be a sight to see.

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