The Brooklyn Nets were a part of the biggest blockbuster trade of the season ahead of the 2022 NBA trade deadline. They completed a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, sending out James Harden and Paul Millsap. In return, they received Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks.
This trade couldn’t have come at a better time for the Nets, who were watching their season slip away. They were riding an 11-game losing streak into the game against the Sacramento Kings on Monday. That was the first time that Curry and Drummond were in the lineup for the Nets and they made their presence felt instantly.
The Nets snapped their losing streak, winning 109-85. They were able to exact some revenge on the Kings, who defeated them earlier in February 112-101 in what ended up being Harden’s last game in a Nets uniform.
Head coach Steve Nash was certainly happy to have the help. Kevin Durant is recovering from an MCL sprain and Kyrie Irving is still not eligible to play in home games. Curry and Drummond provided a much-needed boost.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Will Trade For Ben Simmons Save Brooklyn Nets’ Season?
“It was great, obviously, to have some more bodies,” Nash said. “Seth, LaMarcus, and Andre played well. But really, I just thought we continued to play with the fighting spirit and connectivity we’ve asked them to play with. We just got a better result tonight. Proud of them. Other than a little stretch to start the third, I think it was, we had our best defensive performance of the year. Challenged them to stay locked in, contest everything and be physical, and they did that.”
Both players fill a major need on the team. With Joe Harris sidelined, the Brooklyn Nets were lacking players that can stretch the defense consistently. Seth Curry is one of the best shooters in the NBA and an underrated playmaker as well. His presence also enabled the Nets to bring Patty Mills off the bench in the original role they envisioned for him when they signed him as a free agent.
Andre Drummond will shore things up on the interior. He is an imposing presence in the paint as an excellent rebounder and solid rim protector. Drummond is also someone the Nets can throw the ball to in halfcourt sets to get a basket in the low post.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Will Trade For Ben Simmons Save Brooklyn Nets’ Season?
Curry spoke very highly of his new team and the style of play they will have.
“I didn’t have to see what we did tonight (to see) what kind of style we’ll play,” Curry said. “(We’ll have) so many weapons out there, offensively and defensively. It’s going to be a lot of fun to play. It’s been a while since I got up and down the floor like that and played with that kind of pace, even in the half-court. (We’re) going to be a tough, tough, tough team down the stretch when everybody gets healthy and comes back and we get that cohesiveness. I’m looking forward to it.”
The good times didn’t stop there, as Curry and Drummond were instrumental in the come from behind victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night as well. Trailing by as many as 28-points in the game, the Brooklyn Nets stormed out of the gate in the third quarter to get back into it. The Knicks weathered that storm but folded in the fourth quarter, which has become the norm for them as this was the third 21+ point lead they have blown this month.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Will Trade For Ben Simmons Save Brooklyn Nets’ Season?
Seth Curry’s 3-point shooting was a big factor in them getting things back on track. He went 6-of-9 from distance on the evening, scoring 20 points to go along with six assists. Drummond was a force on the interior, as he got Mitchell Robinson into foul trouble early in the game.
Robinson picked up four fouls in only 10 minutes and Andre Drummond had his way with Taj Gibson after that. The former UConn standout finished the game with 11 points, 19 rebounds, two assists and one block, dominating the paint all night.
