Lakers Legend Magic Johnson Gives His Take on Brooklyn Nets Championship Hopes After James Harden-Ben Simmons Trade

The latest deal between the Sixers and the Brooklyn Nets has shocked the whole basketball community. Despite the fact that many assumed it was too late for the deal to go through, Sixers President Daryl Morey made sure he was there to assist his good buddy and former Rockets superstar Harden.

Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round selections went to the Nets, while Harden and Paul Millsap went to the Sixers. For Sixers supporters stuck in the thick of the Simmons-Sixers impasse, the deal appears to have been worth the wait.

James Harden

With all the trades happening during the deadline day, former Lakers star Magic Johnson gave his opinion on the championship hopes of the Brooklyn Nets.

Magic Johnson admits Brooklyn Nets are not championship-contenders

“Because Kyrie is not vaccinated and Ben Simmons hasn’t played all year, Brooklyn will not be a championship contending team this season, but they definitely will be next season on,” Magic Johnson tweeted.

However, Johnson later added that Kyrie’s change in his vaccination status could play a big role in the Nets winning the championship.

“If Kyrie gets vaccinated and is able to play in all of the Playoff games, the Nets will be a championship contending team,” Magic Johnson added.

Indeed, Kyrie is only available for the road games and is not allowed to feature in the home games for the Nets due to New York city’s strict health and safety protocols. Kyrie is one of the best players in the world and there’s no doubt about that. But he hasn’t been fully involved with the Nets this season.

In fact, the Nets called Kyrie up due to injury issues. Kyrie joined the Nets earlier last month and has helped them in the road games for the past month.

Magic Johnson says Philadelphia 76ers are a title contender with Harden

Magic Johnson has been active in his social media lately. It’s understandable, due to the buzz around the NBA trade deadline and some exciting trade deals that happened on the deadline day. The Lakers legend also added that the acquisition of James Harden makes the Sixers a championship-contending team this season.

“Philadelphia picking up James Harden makes them a championship contending team,” Johnson tweeted.

Philadelphia 76ers have been in top form despite missing Ben Simmons throughout the season. Joel Embiid has stepped up in the absence of the 25-year-old Australian and is now a top contender for the MVP award this season.