NBA Power Rankings: Sixers rise with James Harden; Nets tumble

Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)
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James Harden
James Harden (Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports)

In this week’s edition of our NBA Power Rankings, the Philadelphia 76ers rise with the acquisition of James Harden, and the Brooklyn Nets take a tumble. 

The 2022 NBA Trade Deadline has officially come and gone and it has left some destruction in its path. The push for the playoffs has absolutely been impacted, especially in the Eastern Conference as teams scrambled to make last-minute improvements before the playoffs.

The big move of the deadline was the swap between the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets. With James Harden going to Philly and Ben Simmons going to Brooklyn, it’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the season unfolds in the East.

How big of an impact will Harden have on the Sixers? 

At what point will we see Ben Simmons, if at all, this season? 

When he does make his debut, will he have as big of an impact as many expect him to have? 

With the NBA All-Star break in the near distance, we reevaluate the entire NBA in this week’s edition of our Power Rankings.