The Brooklyn Nets acquired former MVP, James Harden from the Houston Rockets in a trade deal that involves more than three teams.
Harden would now join Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to form a trio that would be hard to rival. For weeks now, Harden, whose contract with the Rockets was supposed to last till the 2022 season, has been making it clear and obvious that he wants out of the team via trade or any other means.
The trade deal, although between the Nets and Rockets involves two other teams; the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers. The term of the trade states that; the Rockets would receive, from the Nets, Rodions Kurucs as well as three first-round draft picks for years 2022, 2024, and 2026 and four first-round swaps for years 2021, 2023, 2025, and 2027.
The Rockets would also receive Victor Oladipo from the Pacers in exchange for Caris LeVert, who they receive from the Nets. From the Cavaliers, the Rockets would receive Dante Exum and a first-round draft pick in 2022. The Nets would get a 2024 second-round draft pick while the Pacers would get, in addition to LeVert, a second-draft round pick in a yet-to-be specified year from the Rockets.
All of this might sound so complicated but the real winner in this are Harden and the Nets. Harden recently voiced his frustration after a game against the Lakers when he took to the podium and said, “I love this city. I literally have done everything that I can. I mean, this situation is crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed,” a move many people, including former teammates have deemed disrespectful. After the outburst, Harden was not allowed to practice the next day.
Speaking on the move, Rockets’ team owner, Tilman Fertitta thanked Harden for all he had done for the team and also mentioned how Harden had grown in his time with the team.
He said, “On behalf of the entire Rockets organization and the City of Houston, I’d like to thank James Harden for an amazing eight-plus seasons in a Rockets uniform. James has provided us with so many great memories as we’ve watched him grow from Sixth Man of the Year to a perennial All-Star and MVP. We wish James the best of luck and will always be grateful for the memories.”
Written by: Leon Osamor
