February 10, one of the most intense and surprising days of the NBA due to that day being the “trade deadline” where teams and general managers decide what players they want to keep on the roster and which players they want to send away for beneficial pieces in returns like players or trade picks. Many blockbuster deals happened before the trade market closed at 3:00 p.m. which caused an eruption in the NBA especially it’s fanbase. 

The most interesting and drama causing trade of February 10 was the James Harden and Ben Simmons trade. The Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets were rumored to have discussions about a trade centered around the former MVP James Harden all week long. James Harden, who had played only 80 games with the Brooklyn nets decided it was time to leave Kevin Durant and the Nets despite not winning many games in last year’s playoffs.

The Brooklyn Nets who are on a 10 game losing streak have been a mess due to Kyrie Irving not wanting to take the COVID-19 vaccine in order to play home games at Barclays center. Harden did not want to play in such a confusing team and was frustrated that he was not the number one option despite playing with Kevin Durant who is in MVP discussions and part time player Kyrie Irving. The Nets granted Harden’s wish of being traded and traded him to his most desired place which was Philadelphia. The Nets received All star Ben Simmons who was frustrated with the 76ers and stepped away from the team, Seth Curry and center Andre Drummond from the Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams gain benefits from this trade because the 76ers finally got superstar Joel Embiid some help with James Harden who is capable of erupting in games and getting wins at a high level.

The Nets also benefited by getting key pieces like Ben Simmons who is a 6’10 point guard that can play any position and defend at a very high level and also playmaker. They also gained a great shooter in Seth Curry and a solid rebounder in Andre Drummond. The winners of this trade are both teams and both James Harden and Ben Simmons

The most confusing and perhaps the most frustrating trade was the trade involving the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings. The Sacramento Kings may have pulled a win-lose type of trade because they traded away a potential star in point guard Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton who is having a great season in just his second year with averages of 14 points per game and 8 assists. The Indiana Pacers sent two time all star Domantas Sabonis, Jeramy Lamb and Justin Holiday.

This trade makes no sense for the Kings, why trade your young star for a two time all star in Sabonis when you’ve made it clear that the team is in no position to make the playoffs with a roster full of vets and young guys. The Indiana Pacers are the clever winners of this trade by gaining a point guard that they can build around and also contend for a playoff spot.

The Washington Wizards did the right thing while the Dallas Mavericks will now have to figure out their roster. The blockbuster trade 10-15 minutes before the trade deadline ended was very understandable for only one side and that side is the Wizards. The Wizards traded away two horrible contracts and horrible players in Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans to the Mavericks for Kristaps Porzingis and a second round pick.

The greatness of getting a steal trade from the Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard should be credited because he is able to get Davis Bertans off the team due to his horrible play and struggle and not getting any minutes, and also trade away a very confusing and inconsistent Spencer Dinwiddie.

Dinwiddie who showed a lot of spark in the beginning of the season has seemed lost and disgruntled on the court. The Mavericks yet again disappoint Luka Doncic and the fanbase because they failed to get the right pieces to help Luka Doncic make this team a real title contender. The winners of this trade are the Wizards because they can test their young players out and see how far they can go without Bradley Beal who is out for the season due to a left wrist injury. Kristaps Porzingis is a winner in this trade because he can show off his talents in DC and help the team get to the playoffs. The Dallas Mavericks are the losers because they received two horrible players and two bad contracts and will have to find a way to get their team going with Doncic not getting the best help to compete for a championship.