James Harden told reporters on Tuesday evening that he didn’t think his situation in Houston could be resolved. Less than 24 hours later, Harden is on his way to Brooklyn.
According to several reports, the rockets are sending Harden to the Nets as part of a four-team deal that also includes the Cavaliers and Pacers. The 76s appeared to be favorites to land the eight-time All-Star as trade talks began on Wednesday, but Houston eventually accepted Brooklyn’s offer, which included an immense draft compensation.
What does this deal mean for the Cavaliers, Nets, Pacers and Rockets? Here is a breakdown of the blockbuster trading.
MORE: Why does Kyrie Irving keep missing games?
James Harden commercial notes
Cavaliers receive: Jarrett Allen, Tauride Prince
Receive networks: James Harden, second round selection
Receive pacemaker: Caris LeVert, second round selection
Missiles received: Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, Victor Oladipo, four picks in the first round (all unprotected), four pick swaps in the first round (all unprotected)
- Network selection in 2022, 2024 and 2026
- Selection of the Cavaliers in 2022 (via Bucks)
- Choose from 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027 swaps with networks
Networks: C +
Let’s be clear: The Nets now own an incredibly talented trio with Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Each player is a three tier goalscorer who can lose more than 30 points each night. No NBA team can match these guys on paper.
But there are just so many questions about these “Big Three”. Can Harden get back in shape and learn to change his game? Will Durant Stay Healthy? Is Irving actually interested in basketball?
Aside from the main problems, depth loss also poses problems in court. Harden, Durant and Irving are all in the top 20 of the best of the list for percent usage. You have to sacrifice touch and work together for the nets to be a contender. Defensive, oh boy. We’re not looking closely at the 2003-04 pistons here.
Currently, Nets Roster with Harden Trade is:
Kevin Durant
James Harden
Kyrie Irving
DeAndre Jordan
Joe Harris
Landry Shamet
Tyler Johnson
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
Jeff Green
Bruce Brown
Nic Claxton
Reggie Perry
Chris Chiozza
Spencer Dinwiddie
– Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 13, 2021
A chill could have shaken Nets’ fans when the deal was reported because the link to the unfortunate deal that Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce had wrought was easy. Harden is certainly not at this stage of his career yet, and the Nets are much better positioned to fight for a championship now than in 2013.
Still, it’s a high price to pay for a 31-year-old who has completely checked out his last team. Harden is under contract for at least 2020-21 and 2021-22 (plus a $ 47 million player option in 2022-23), giving him time to transform into his old self, but not by much. The nets gave the missiles control of their next seven drafts. They need their stars to align, otherwise the future could be dark.
Missiles: A-
Houston did an incredible job regaining and acquiring multiple assets after Harden appeared to have increased its value with poor play and antics. The Rockets haven’t found a potential franchise cornerstone like Ben Simmons, but they have been given an enormous package of picks. That will bring them a new influx of young talent over the next ten years.
As for the players, Oladipo is obviously the biggest piece. After a lackluster “bubble” last year, he has improved significantly with an average of 20.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. It is possible that he would develop good chemistry with John Wall and Christian Wood.
However, if the missiles don’t see Oladipo as a good fit, they can try to flip it before the 2021 close of trading. Both Oladipo and PJ Tucker have expiring contracts so Houston could become sellers in March.
Regardless of where the missiles land in the overall standings, they have cleared the toxic cloud that hangs over the organization. First year coach Stephen Silas and his players can finally move on.
Pacemaker: B +
Indiana looked great to start the 2020-21 campaign and appeared to be a real threat to the Eastern Conference. Exchanging Oladipo for LeVert can lower the Pacers’ short-term cap but is a smart long-term game.
Had Oladipo continued to play at a high level, the Pacers would likely have had a hard time holding him in their free hand. LeVert is under contract until 2023 and at just 26 he has his prime years ahead of him. He needs to work on his defense and 3 point shooting (33.9 percent for his career) so that he can pose a threat if Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis have the ball, but that could come in time.
Don’t sleep on the Pacers. They could be making some noise in the 2021 playoffs.
Cavaliers: Incomplete
Even Andre Drummond thinks the Cavaliers have too many bigs on their roster.
All should fit well as a pick-and-roll option next to Collin Sexton and Darius Garland and cover up their defensive deficiencies as rim protection. But will the Cavaliers pave the way for him to play or will he support a veteran again?
Drummond, Kevin Love, JaVale McGee, Larry Nance Jr. – the forecourt is way too crowded. Giving an incompleteness feels like some kind of excuse, but there should be more changes in Cleveland. Lets see what happens.
