The James Harden trade looks like it is going to happen. After being reported that there were two suitors left in Houston’s search for a destination, further reports now say that Brooklyn will be that destination. The trade is reportedly a four-team deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers joining in to get the deal done. The Brooklyn Nets are sending three unprotected first-round picks plus a few pick swaps to the Houston Rockets. Cleveland’s 2022 first-round pick via the Bucks also goes to Houston.
When the deal was originally announced it was a three-team deal that looked something like the picks above plus these players. Caris LeVert, Dante Exum, and Rodions Kurucs were originally headed to Houston. Houston sent LeVert and a second-round pick to Indiana for Victor Oladipo. Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince will be joining the Cavs. Harden had been growing increasingly frustrated with the Rockets organization and the trade was inevitable. This allows the Rockets to settle their locker room down and of course, makes Brooklyn one of the favorites to win the whole thing this season. The Cavs got to bolster their roster as well with Allen and Prince coming along.
Reporting with @RamonaShelburne: Brooklyn is acquiring Houston’s James Harden in a blockbuster deal, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2021
While the news originally broke as a three-team deal, Indiana got in there and threw the Oladipo trade in there for some extra chaos. This allows them to move on to a new chapter of their franchise while sending a beloved player to a good organization. Shams Charania was kind enough to break down the trade with one tweet after the dust settled.
Sources: Full current trade:
Rockets: Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, 3 BKN first-rounders (22, 24, 26), 1 MIL first (22, unprotected), 4 BKN 1st round swaps (21, 23, 25, 27)
Nets: James Harden
Pacers: Caris LeVert, 2nd-rounder
Cavs: Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 13, 2021
It finally happened. The James Harden trade isn’t official yet, but everything seems to be in order. The NBA is changing again. The great thing about this trade is on the face of it, it seems every organization gets what they wanted and needed out of the situation. Harden is back with Kevin Durant as he had hoped for and will be contending for a title come to the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
