Our experts make their Super Bowl LVI picks, plus who is going to win the Harden-Simmons trade?

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Happy Friday, everyone! Whew, what a Thursday of sports news we had -- and what a Super Bowl weekend we have ahead.

Let's get right to it.

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Good morning to everyone but especially to...

THE BROOKLYN NETS

It really happened: Ben Simmons (and others) are headed to Brooklyn, and James Harden is headed to Philadelphia.

Here's who gets whom:

76ers get:

James Harden
Paul Millsap

Nets get:

Ben Simmons
Seth Curry
Andre Drummond
Two first-round picks

Harden was reportedly unhappy playing and living in Brooklyn, and Simmons hadn't even played this season amid a trade demand and a deepening rift with the team and star center Joel Embiid. Both of those guys should be excited to be out of those situations.

Any transaction of this magnitude requires time to determine who "won" and who "lost" the deal, but my early impression is that Brooklyn came out ahead. Obviously, Simmons is the centerpiece, but Curry (averaging career highs in points, assists, rebounds and two-point field goal percentage) is a major addition, and Drummond can -- and will -- be used situationally.

The Nets earned a B+ trade grade from our NBA expert Sam Quinn:

Quinn: "As long as Kyrie Irving is a part-time player, having James Harden around as shot-creator insurance was absolutely critical to winning the title here and now. ... But, dear lord, their 2022-23 team stands to be among the best on-paper rosters in NBA history. ... The key to maximizing Simmons is to put as much shooting around him as humanly possible. Well … the Nets now have five players on their roster who have made at least 38 percent of their 3-pointers on high volume for their career. If they were to build a lineup based solely on 3-point percentage around Simmons, Kevin Durant wouldn't even be on the floor. His 38.3 percent mark from behind the arc trails Irving (39.1), Patty Mills (39.2), Curry (43.7) and [Joe] Harris (43.9)."

I've never been a huge fan of Simmons' game, but Quinn is spot-on. This is the perfect situation for him on offense, where he will rarely be counted on to score. Simmons is an absolute terror in transition, a very good passer and an outstanding defender (he was Defensive Player of the Year runner-up last year). Our NBA scribe Brad Botkin says this is Simmons' "golden opportunity."

That doesn't mean this is a complete loss for the 76ers -- far from it, in fact. They likely got much, much better this year, one where Embiid is a bonafide MVP candidate. Quinn gave Philly a "B" grade, and according to Botkin, you have to credit GM Daryl Morey for getting his guy.

Meanwhile the NBA title odds now look like this at Caesars Sportsbook:

Nets +425
Warriors +450
Suns +500
Bucks, 76ers +700

Honorable mentions

Shaun White's final Olympics ended with a fourth-place finish. Still, his legacy is unlike any other.
C.J. Uzomah returned to practice for the Bengals.
Michigan blew out No. 3 Purdue 82-58. If the Wolverines want any shot at making the NCAA Tournament, they need more performances like this.

And not such a good morning for...

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Stop me if you've heard this before: MLB and the MLBPA aren't exactly close to a deal, and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred isn't making things any better.

Speaking to the public yesterday, Manfred said:

There's "no change" to the status of Spring Training (which is supposed to start Feb. 14, so that seems impossible).
Missing regular-season games would be "disastrous" (even though it becomes more likely with every passing day, and the owners even said they'd be willing to let it happen).

Remember, the owners waited 43 days before presenting an initial proposal. On Thursday, Manfred remarked, "Phones work two ways." That's true, but considering his side imposed the lockout, it's a bad look. Also, remember that the owners technically could lift the lockout any time, operate under the previous agreement and continue to negotiate -- but are unwilling to do so.

Anyway, some issues have been squared away (including a universal DH and a draft lottery). The owners will make their latest counteroffer Saturday. I'm not optimistic.

Not so honorable mention

Joe Montana didn't exactly give a ringing endorsement of Trey Lance.
Clemson's David Collins was ejected for this dangerous foul on Duke's Wendell Moore Jr.

Picks, predictions and previews for Super Bowl LVI 🏈

Friends, this is the last morning newsletter with NFL picks for the next seven-ish months, so enjoy.

Here's how NFL expert Pete Prisco thinks the Super Bowl will play out:

Prisco: "In the end, I am going to go with Joe Burrow to outplay Matthew Stafford to get his first ring in what will truly be an amazing ending to their season. Burrow will drive the Bengals to a game-winning field goal by Evan McPherson in the closing seconds as the theme of the playoffs continues. Pick: Bengals 31, Rams 30"

We also have picks from John Breech, Cody Benjamin, Tyler Sullivan and even Chargers star Austin Ekeler. For what it's worth, I'm taking the Rams.

Our NFL team has a ton of preview content, all of which you can find here. One of my favorites is NFL expert Cody Benjamin's breakdown of the Rams' and Bengals' wide receivers.

Benjamin: "Both sides are deep and dangerous, but Ja'Marr Chase is the most purely electrifying receiver of the entire matchup. ... If Chase is the most explosive WR in the Super Bowl, Cooper Kupp is the most ridiculous, not because of sheer size or speed as much as route-running dynamism."

Some other favorites:

Plus, be sure to check out this awesome piece about Doug Williams becoming the first Black quarterback to win the Super Bowl, as part of our Black History Month series.

SPONSORED BY SPORTSLINE

Which side of the Rams vs. Bengals spread should you back on Sunday?

SportsLine's proven computer model is up over $7,500 on top-rated NFL picks for $100 players since its inception. It has simulated Sunday's game 10,000 times and one side hits almost 60% of the time. See which side to back right here.

SportsLine's red-hot Vegas experts are also chiming in:

Brett Anderson is 22-9 on NFL picks this year, including a 3-0 mark in the playoffs. See which side he loves right here.
Larry Hartstein has hit 29 of his last 46 spread picks involving the Rams. Don't miss his strong play for Sunday.
Legendary handicapper Hammerin' Hank Goldberg is on a 17-8 roll on NFL picks. The Hammer has locked in a spread, total and prop pick here. Parlay them for a shot at a 6-1 return.

SportsLine's Early Edge podcast is also breaking it down all week in Los Angeles. Subscribe here so you don't miss any of their shows.

Everything else that went down on NBA Trade Deadline day 🏀

While the Simmons-Harden deal was the headliner, it was just one of nine trades Thursday. You can check out the full list here. Among the most impactful ones:

Kristaps Porzingis is headed to the Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. Botkin gave the Mavericks a "C" grade and called it "a real risk."
The Celtics made three trades, including acquiring Daniel Theis from the Rockets (which earned an "A-") and Derrick White from the Spurs (which earned a "B+").
The Spurs traded Thaddeus Young and Drew Eubanks (who was waived) to the Raptors for Goran Dragic (who will be bought out) and a protected first-round pick. The Spurs won this one, writes Quinn.
We had a four-teamer(!) headlined by Donte DiVincenzo to the Kings, Serge Ibaka to the Bucks, Marvin Bagley III to the Pistons and Rodney Hood to the Clippers.

Here are the winners and losers from Thursday.

Our NBA reporters did an excellent job with the trade deadline. Their writing helped me make sense of the craziness and made me smarter. It will do the same for you.

Aaron Rodgers wins second straight MVP; 2022 Hall of Fame class revealed 🏆

Aaron Rodgers would certainly rather be preparing for a Super Bowl, but Thursday he got a decent consolation prize. The 38-year-old QB won his second straight MVP and the fourth of his career, trailing only Peyton Manning's five. Rodgers is the fifth player ever to go back-to-back.

You can check out all the award winners here.

The eight members of the 2022 Hall of Fame class were announced as well:

Tony Boselli
LeRoy Butler
Sam Mills
Richard Seymour
Bryant Young
Cliff Branch
Dick Vermeil
Art McNally

What we're watching this weekend 📺

Friday

🏀 No. 24 UConn at No. 25 Xavier, 7 p.m. on FS1
🏀 Nuggets at Celtics, 7:30 p.m. on NBA TV

Saturday

🏀 No. 20 Texas at No. 10 Baylor, Noon on ESPN 2
🏀 No. 22 St. Mary's at No. 2 Gonzaga, 10 p.m. on ESPN 2
🏀 No. 12 UCLA at No. 21 USC, 10 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 Lakers at Warriors, 8:30 p.m. on ABC