The Inevitable Conclusion
Well, I think it’s fair to say that this was the least surprising deal to be made outside of Anthony Davis in recent history. That being said, James Harden is now a Brooklyn Net. It’s the end of an era for one organization and the beginning of another. It’s also the ending of what seemed like a balanced league in the NBA.
Sure, the LA Lakers were heavy favorites going into this season after last year’s incredible performance, but we had not seen every team at full strength and Covid-19 impacted the season greatly. Seeing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving display their talents against the Warriors at the beginning of the season was captivating and relieving for every NBA fan wanting those two to shine. And it wasn’t just them either. Rising players in Caris LeVert and Jarret Allen stepped up to their respective roles comfortably and the team played with speed and poise.
End of an Era
Feels like yesterday that we saw Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Harden compete in the 2012 NBA Finals. Then Harden was traded (stupidly) to the Houston Rockets in which he was able to unlock his potential and become one of the most prolific scorers we have ever seen. The teams surrounding him weren’t always championship-caliber, but he alone made them contenders every year.
From the squads featuring Jeremy Lin and Dwight Howard to the last years with Chris Paul and Westbrook, he entertained the Rockets fans and collected an MVP and three scoring championships along the way. Harden’s style of play may be boring to some, due to the lack of team involvement. Watching him lull an opponent to sleep and then proceed to either rob their ankles or shoot his famous step-back three in someone’s face never got old to me though.
Sacrificing so much year after year with no championship to show for it would get to anyone after a while, and seeing players like Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard do their ways to different teams didn’t make things easier. The final straw appeared to be the signing of now Head Coach Stephen Silas. A late report to training camp and a press conference talking about how the team has no potential to make a run later and he got his wish to join Durant and Kyrie.
The way this saga ended was unfortunate and shouldn’t diminish the performances that Harden displayed throughout his career there. There’s no question that he shouldn’t be praised along with the likes of the great Hakeem Olajuwon.
The Details
Right, let’s get down to business. The trade involved four different teams. The Rockets received a massive haul for Harden, collecting Victor Oladipo, Danté Exum (he’s still in the league??), Rodions Kurucs, four unprotected first-round picks (Brooklyn 2022, 2024, and 2026, Milwaukee 2022), and four unprotected first-round swaps (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027). The Indiana Pacers are getting Caris LeVert after trading Victor Oladipo to the Rockets, and a 2023 second-rounder from Houston. The Cleveland Cavaliers get Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince.
So, What Happens Now?
For the Nets, they have what they need to contend for the next five years in Durant, Harden, and maybe Kyrie? Look, I’m not going to get into the “Kyrie Circus” that the media is blowing up. He’ll be back, and when he is, the challenge is on Steve Nash to handle so many ball dependent players.
The ceiling for this team is a dynasty reminiscent of the Golden State Warriors not long ago. The floor is an absolute catastrophe that involves poor team chemistry, injuries, absent practices and disappointing games from the superstars individually.
The Cavaliers have their frontcourt solidified with Allen, while Prince provides much-needed wing play to the team although his ceiling is limited to a nice role-player.
The Pacers have the most intriguing position in acquiring LeVert for a disgruntled Oladipo. They could potentially catch lightning in a bottle twice and LeVert could turn into a perennial All-Star now that he has his own team. With players like Damontas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon, the Pacers have a young core that could flourish down the road.
Lastly for the Rockets, they’re in a peculiar position due to a lot of their future success depending on draft picks and hypotheticals. As for their team presently constructed, it’s been very pleasing seeing John Wall return to form after his achilles injury. With DeMarcus Cousins and the addition of Oladipo, the Rockets should make some noise this season if they continue with the group they have. Unfortunately, noise is all they will probably make, as I still have teams such as the Clippers, Lakers, Mavericks, and even the Suns over them. At least it will be fun basketball to watch as a Rockets fan, right?
