The Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets turned the basketball community on its side Thursday after pulling off a mega-deal with roughly 90 minutes to go until the trade deadline. Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and Andre Drummond are heading to Brooklyn from the Sixers in exchange for James Harden and Paul Millsap.

“When will the Ben Simmons saga end?” has been one of the biggest questions around the NBA this season. The former no. 1 pick formally requested a trade in the summer, but Daryl Morey remained patient in hopes of a needle-moving deal this like emerging. Now, the three-time All-Star will join forces with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, while Philadelphia finds itself with a new explosive offensive duo.

Following the Sixers' 100-87 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday night, players spoke about the addition of the All-Star guard. The first to give his thoughts on the matter was Tobias Harris.

“Obviously, it's a great addition for us. The addition of James [Harden] can be huge for us. Just how dynamic he is as a player, his ability to score the basketball and put a real presence out there on the floor. The point guard position is going to be good for us, so in a way, the whole team is excited to just get him in here,” said Harris.

Next up to speak was Sixers star Joel Embiid. While he was sad to see Curry and Drummond go, he is excited to join forces with a high-level player like Harden.

“It's James Harden. One of the best players in the league, MVP. It's pretty exciting. When you add someone like that, your chances to win a championship are even bigger. I'm excited to get on with it and try to figure it out,” Embiid said postgame.

With this trade, the Sixers are right back in the hunt to compete for a title. Pairing a dynamic scorer and playmaker alongside a dominant big man like Embiid will be a nightmare for opposing defenses.

At the end of the day, top-tier talent wins championships in the NBA. That is why Morey did not rush to trade Simmons and was rewarded greatly for his gamble. The Sixers now have a legitimate second option next to their franchise cornerstone, and a more than formidable big three in Embiid, Harden, and Harris.

While acquiring Harden moves the needle for the Sixers, the real work is only just beginning for them. They have all the talent in place to compete. Now the top priority becomes figuring out how to mesh this new group of players.

With the regular season quickly winding down, time is not on the Sixers' side. That being said, Embiid and Harris seem ready to adjust in any way needed to acclimate Harden and get the team ready for the postseason. It won't be easy, but the perfect core is intact. It's a matter of getting down to business and winning ballgames on a consistent basis. Philly fans can't wait to see the impact Harden makes.