'Full troll mode': Ex-teammate's brutal response to Ben Simmons trade

Philadelphia star Joel Embiid has sent the basketball world into meltdown after a brutal response to former teammate Ben Simmons' trade to Brooklyn.

Simmons will join Patty Mills at the Nets in a blockbuster multi-player trade that sees James Harden move in the opposite direction to the 76ers.

'TODAY HURTS': Joe Ingles' brutal trade leaves NBA fans gutted

'HE WAS MAD': Shaq lifts the lid on confrontation with Simmons

The Sixers have sent their disgruntled All-Star Simmons, guard Seth Curry and centre Andre Drummond to the Nets in a deal for Harden made before Friday's (AEST) deadline.

While the deal itself sparked plenty of debate between basketball fans, it was Embiid's reaction that left fans in a frenzy.

There has been no love lost between Embiid and Simmons ever since the Aussie passed up a wide-open dunk against Atlanta in the second round of last year's play-offs that would have tied the game late in Game 7.

Simmons was left hurting by the criticism from Embiid and coach Doc Rivers over his role in Philly's early post-season exit.

Embiid has been left frustrated by the fact Simmons has not featured for the Sixers this season, following his initial refusal to return for a pre-season training camp.

When Simmons did return he was promptly kicked out of practice and suspended for one game for refusing to participate, all the while racking up millions in fines.

The punishment didn't matter as the No.1 pick of the 2016 draft had no intention of ever playing. He later cited mental health concerns.

Following news that Simmons finally got his wish to leave Philadelphia, Embiid wasted no time sticking the boot into his former teammate.

The Sixers big man posted a photo of a famous meme that went viral in 2015 that was captioned: "I stopped by one of my biggest hater’s funerals today just to make sure they were dead."

Unsurprisingly, fans took Embiid's post to be a deliberate reference to Simmons, with fans losing it over the brutal response to the Aussie's trade.

Simmons hasn't played this season for the Sixers following a trade demand centred largely around hurt feelings coming off last season's playoff loss.

The Melbourne guard averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists over four seasons with Philadelphia, who drafted him out of LSU, where he played only one season.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills set to team up

His move to Brooklyn is exciting for Aussie fans as it will pair him with Olympic flagbearer and Tokyo bronze medal hero Patty Mills, who has flourished since moving to the Nets from San Antonio this season.

The inspirational Mills has remained an ardent supporter of Simmons, hopeful of one day wearing green and gold alongside him despite him skipping both the Rio and Tokyo Games as well as the 2019 World Cup.

He could prove to be the calming influence that snaps the ultra-talented Simmons out of his funk and prime him for a gold medal run at the Paris 2024 Games.

Harden has been out with a hamstring injury while trade rumours intensified. Nets coach Coach Steve Nash even stated last week that the 'beard to be feared' would not be traded.

This is the second straight season Harden has been traded during the season.

The Nets acquired the three-time scoring champion from the Houston Rockets in a deal last January, with the idea that Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving would form a Big Three.

The Nets loaded up for a title run with three of the highest-paid players in the league but a championship run with them never materialised.

They are 2-10 since Durant sprained his left knee, an injury that could keep him out until after the All-Star break.

With Irving ineligible to play in home games because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 as mandated by New York City, it has placed a heavy burden on Harden, who can become a free agent after the season.

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.