{"id":48361,"date":"2022-09-05T15:40:45","date_gmt":"2022-09-05T19:40:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=48361"},"modified":"2022-09-05T15:40:45","modified_gmt":"2022-09-05T19:40:45","slug":"revisiting-the-james-harden-to-brooklyn-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2022\/09\/05\/revisiting-the-james-harden-to-brooklyn-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"Revisiting the James Harden to Brooklyn Trade"},"content":{"rendered":"

In January of 2021, the NBA landscape shifted drastically when the Houston Rockets sent James Harden<\/strong><\/a> to the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team trade. Last month, we looked at the move that got Harden to the Houston Rockets<\/a>. Today, we dive into one of the biggest trades in recent NBA history as we review and grade all four teams involved in this blockbuster.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Revisiting the James Harden to Brooklyn Trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The End of the Harden Era in Houston<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Despite his success with the Rockets, many will think of his exit from the team when this topic comes up. Harden may be the best player the Houston franchise has seen since Hakeem Olajuwon<\/strong><\/a>. The 2017-18 MVP made the All-Star team in each of his eight full seasons with the Rockets. Harden also led the team to the playoffs every year. Despite this success, the 2020-21 season was tumultuous from the start. Harden was openly frustrated with his team and began to draw the ire of his teammates. DeMarcus Cousins<\/strong><\/a> called out Harden hours before the three-time scoring champion was traded to Brooklyn. Cousins expressed his frustrations at Harden\u2019s behavior leading up to the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To briefly recap, Harden held out at the beginning of that year\u2019s training camp. When he did arrive, the COVID requirements at the time cost Harden and the Rockets six more days. This missed time felt more impactful since first-time head coach Stephen Silas<\/strong><\/a> lost precious prep time with his team\u2019s best player. Harden was again sidelined for four days to start the season when the NBA fined him for attending a party that violated the league\u2019s health and safety protocols. <\/span><\/p>\n

When Harden finally hit the court, the results were poor. Houston was 3-6, above only the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference standings. Following consecutive losses to the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, Harden called out his team\u2019s lack of talent in a virtual news conference. These comments and a lack of offensive production from Harden caused teammates like John Wall<\/strong><\/a> and Cousins to call him out. Houston\u2019s hands were tied as they were forced to trade their disgruntled superstar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Harden-to-Brooklyn Trade Details<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Houston sent Harden to the Nets in a four-team deal involving multiple players. Brooklyn sent Caris LeVert<\/strong><\/a>, Rodions Kurucs<\/strong><\/a>, three unprotected first-round picks (2022, 2024, 2026), and four first-round swaps (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027) to the Rockets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cavaliers sent Dante Exum<\/strong><\/a>, a 2022 first-round pick (from the Milwaukee Bucks) to the Rockets, and a 2024 second-round pick to the Nets. Jarret Allen<\/strong><\/a> and Taurean Prince<\/strong><\/a> went to Cleveland in the deal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Indiana Pacers were involved via the Rockets. Houston sent LeVert<\/a> and a 2023 second-round pick to the Pacers for Victor Oladipo<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sources: Full current trade:<\/p>\n

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)<\/p>\n

Nets: James Harden<\/p>\n

Pacers: Caris LeVert, 2nd-rounder<\/p>\n

Cavs: Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince<\/p>\n

\u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 13, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n