James Harden TRADED to Rockets

[Ballscientist]

Originally Posted by Floods

1-3 and 15-30 protected.

How does that work?

15-30 protected

[Knicks4life]

Originally Posted by Ballscientist

How does that work?

15-30 protected

Guaranteed lottery pick

[rocketeer]

Originally Posted by MemphisX

Good deal for Okc? They are going to need to make some more moves now. As a Grizzlies fan, I love this deal both ways.

the thunder couldn't pay to keep everyone. i still think westbrook should have been the guy to go but clearly they decided on harden. now they replace him with another high level scorer on an expiring deal, a talented rookie, and reasonable picks to add more talent where they need it.

[Cris]

Another crazy NBA offseason. Since June, we've had 31 trades involving 96 players. And 29 of 30 teams - all but the Spurs - made a trade.

[kbdullah]

Like it for both teams. People forget Houston was in playoff position last year before they got done over by injuries to Martin and some other guys. Martin was going to walk in the offseason anyway, and still might, and they got a high-profile guy in Harden who will help change Houston's image as an undesirable place to play. Lamb plus picks and the worthy expiring is fair. Biggest concern for Rockets would be the contract given to Harden.

I definitely agree Harden's playmaking will be missed -is Maynor healthy again? But the Thunder have Durant Westbrook Ibaka locked up plus a full cupboard of Lamb, Perry Jones, and picks. Can't be mad at that.

[Laker Freak]

Looks like Houston plans on making Harden the Joe Johnson of this generation.

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by Diable

If you're serious about winning a title this year it's a big step back. Harden was really their primary playmaker when he was on the court and playmaking is the largest weakness that team has. OKC's team assist and turnover numbers were already way too similar, now they are going to have a big problem in that area. Martin is the opposite of that. Maynor's status becomes a huge deal in my mind. I can't recall what his contract is or whether or not he's going to be good to go. Long term this is a great deal for the Thunder, but when you have Kevin Durant I don't know that you should be looking far down the line.

Here we go overrating Harden again. I'm willing to say the Thunder won't be in any worse shape without him. They're deep.

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by Hibachi!

Lol. See ya Harden.

I thought it would be a trade deadline deal, or maybe at next years lotto in a sign and trade.


Good call.

[roux2dope]

merged

[roux2dope]

love this deal for okc.. i like lamb alot and he could easily fill that harden role, plus the firsts...great deal

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by roux2dope

love this deal for okc.. i like lamb alot and he could easily fill that harden roll, plus the firsts...great deal

Agreed. I'm not sure Lamb turns into as good a player as Harden will show as the Rockets #1, but I think he'll be more than able to come in as the primary scorer off the bench.

OKC has a lot of weapons that can also fill in for the shots Harden was taking, and its not like he added much of anything on defense. The people saying how much they'll miss Harden will be surprised.

[Wilt_The_Stilt]

Originally Posted by MemphisX

Good deal for Okc? They are going to need to make some more moves now. As a Grizzlies fan, I love this deal both ways.

Also, I think Okc and other people are taking for granted how close they were to winning it all. To squander that based on $1 million per year is asinine IMO. They should have fought that fight with Ibaka. I am not saying Harden is some future great but he was a great fit. Not to many other players are going to not start and not bitch about it especially after you send the message that your sacrifice will not be honored by the franchise.

I agree with this, although if they flip Martin and picks for someone better I might change my opinion.

Lamb is not the same type of player as Harden either. He is more likely to be pulling up for mid range jumpers than attacking the hoop and creating for himself and others.

And a horrible deal for the Rockets.

[e-monk]

Presti worked Morey like a sock puppet - Martin can fill the scoring 6th man role this season, Lamb could develop into that role over the next couple years, the lotto pick will be worth something - the thunder are deeper and better off financially for a longer period - didnt really hurt themselves that badly short term and did themselves a world of good long term

btw Harden strikes me as a little chokey and not just because of his spotty finals performance

[Hyperion]

So Harden for Martin in itself is a decent return for Harden. On top of that, they get two lotto picks?! Houston has made some fantastic trades this offseason if its goal is to become the worst team in the league. They have two possibly very good players and a whole lotta bad.

[BlakeJesus]

I think this makes sense for both sides. Thunder were going to struggle to keep Harden going forward and they filled the role with an efficient scorer, a young guard prospect, and picks. I think having Harden is a better situation than having Kevin Martin/Jeremy Lamb this season, but this is a business and things like this need to happen if both sides don't want the same things.

As for the Rockets, I don't know if it's a perfect move but they are manufacturing their own star power and I definitely appreciate that. Jeremy Lin/James Harden is a very interesting backcourt duo, and my initial reaction to the thought is positive. I want to see it before I say anything definitively, but the Rockets have positioned themselves to be a much better team this year and going forward with what they've done this past offseason.