Kevin Durant on James Harden-Ben Simmons Trade: 'Everybody Got What They Wanted'

Nets star Kevin Durant addressed James Harden's departure to the Philadelphia 76ers during Thursday's All-Star Game draft show on TNT, saying he believes "everybody got what they wanted" in the deal that sent Ben Simmons to Brooklyn. 

"I'm excited for our team and looking forward to finishing the season out with this new group and these new players. The playoffs are right around the corner so we gotta fast track and get used to each other. But I'm excited. I think everybody got what they wanted," Durant said. 

Durant's comments come after ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday morning that Harden wanted a trade to the 76ers, but didn't make a formal request because he was afraid of potential backlash he would receive about asking for a trade in two straight seasons. 

In addition, The Athletic's Joe Vardon reported that when Kyrie Irving got word of Harden hoping for a trade from the Nets, "he was eager to see it come to fruition." However, Irving refuted the report. 

Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported in January that Harden had been "vocal" in sharing his frustration with Irving only being eligible to play in road games because he refuses to comply with New York City's vaccination mandate for indoor arenas. He also reported that the 32-year-old "informed several confidants" that he was willing to test the market this summer. 

However, it appears Harden will not be a free agent this summer, deciding to pick up his 2022-23 player option worth more than $47 million to remain with the Sixers, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania. 

Harden joins a Philadelphia team that is fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 32-22 record. The Sixers are just 2.5 games behind the first-place Miami Heat. 

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is hoping Harden pairs well with potential MVP candidate Joel Embiid, in addition to Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris and Matisse Thybulle. And while Harden has had a down year by his standards, his numbers could improve in Philadelphia. 

The three-time scoring champion is averaging 22.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 10.2 assists while shooting 41.4 percent from the floor and 33.2 percent from deep in 44 games. His 22.5 points per game average would rank second on the Sixers behind Embiid, who is averaging 29.4 points per game. 

It's unclear when Harden will make his 76ers debut, but when he does, he'll surely receive some loud cheers from Philly fans. The Sixers are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday at home.