James Harden traded to the Rockets

[Klomp]

Wait, OKC got 2013 TOR 1st?! Damn!

I think HOU won this year, but OKC won long term.

[Tirion]

This is pure money decision for OKC. They don't want to pay full price for a contender. They think Westbrook's progress as a PG and Durant's passing improving will balance out the loss of Harden.

But guess what? You don't want to pay for a contender, you don't get to have one.

[CrazyKnicks]

OKC just took themselves out of contention. What a mindboggling move, Harden was their crunch time pg. And they get back an injury prone poor man's Durant.

[C-izMe]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA

Thunder pushed final offer to Harden to 4 years, $53M-$54M, sources tell Y! When that couldn't get deal done, Presti moved into trade mode.

James Harden wanted 10% more money over being on a potential dynasty?

Forreal. He's about to be exposed soon too.

KMart is a 60+ TS on 23-25ppg guy. I highly doubt Harden is anywhere near as good of a scorer as KMart. Westbrook can make up the playmaking edge too.

[FlipTSO]

Guys, some questions

Raptors fans have this strange belief that
1) Harden is the equivalent of Bargnani as a shooting guard and that
2) Kevin Martin (when healthy) is better than Harden.

Are these intelligent statements?

I agree #1 as far as both soft defenders, and #2 has Harden ever avg 25 ppg? Martin is underrated and Harden is overrated. Considering age though, its a fair deal 1 for 1, imo. But all that all stuff HOU gave up they got robbed, imo.

[Wooderson]

You can see who actually understands advanced stats, by their reaction in this thread.

You can see who can't take stats into context. Martin will have no issue getting close to Harden efficiency. Harden's job is so simple and so easy due to his cast that advanced stat lovers fell in love with him. As a #1, prepared for below average league efficiency at around 22ppg. Glorified Monta Ellis.

Duh. That's why his numbers were so much worse when WB/Durant were on the bench. Oh wait...the exact opposite is true.

[bullsnewdynasty]

OKC should be arrested for grand theft. Martin, Lamb, and 2 1st round picks for a bench player that was going to leave them with nothing. damn. Martin for Harden alone would've been a fair deal. HOU GM is nuts. First overpaying for Lin, now selling the farm for a glorified bench player.

Except you're looking at this trade as if OKC is rebuilding or something. OKC was a Finals contender and they traded the best player in the deal. This trade makes them worse in the short term, and unknown in the long term. I don't know how you can spin this as a positive for OKC.

[BaunceyChillups]

Why do people think OKC won this deal? Kevin Martin is trash and Lamb is solid but it's doubtful he'll be as good as Harden. Overpaying for Ibaka has screwed them greatly.

You also forgot the picks. It's better to get something than nothing for Harden.

OKC won the deal especially since they got Lamb who is suppose to be the next TMac.

The Toronto pick is the only thing that might be good but 2013 will be a weak draft anyway so it's not that big of a loss

And Lamb plays nothing like T-Mac

[NashtyNas]

Wait, OKC got 2013 TOR 1st?! Damn!

I think HOU won this year, but OKC won long term.

My sentiments exactly. Immediately, it might be lateral AT BEST for OKC. In the long run, it's a homer. Lamb will be servicable at the least in a 6th man role, and that Toronto pick is a guaranteed lottery (plus Dallas doesn't look too good in the future atm).

[GenericUsername]

The Dallas pick is the one from the Odom/Fisher trades that's top 20 protected for 8 years


Sent from my Obama sail foam using Tapatalk 2

Not quite. It's unprotected in 2018. I doubt it will be conveyed this year though, so nice future piece too.

[Bertrob]

OKC has now entered 4-6th seed, and a 2nd round playoff exit at best for the next 3 years.

Lakers fans are killing me right now

[wackywabbit]

Pretty good haul.

Have you guys been paying attention to what other teams have been getting for losing all-star players? Outside of Utah and maybe Denver (who gave up much better players), this stands up pretty well.

most teams are not contenders when they trade a star

now Harden is a quasi star, borderline all star. Nothing like Dwight or Deron or course. But if you are contending its more then getting a haul for a player. OKC drops from the list of contenders, and only two teams now have a legit shot at the title this year imo.

Durant + Westbrook = legit title shot any year. Adding a couple shooters to an overcriticized (I don't want to say underrated because they're not as good as casual fans think, but better than "knowledgeable" fans think) frontcourt should keep them going.

[kakaman]

Why is everyone so high on Lamb? UConn products have historically been overrated and been average at best. Who was the last UConn superstar, Ray Allen?

[deNIEd]

Have you guys been paying attention to what OKC does with their picks?

Lamb PLUS 3 picks?

Whoever said Presti loss is short sighted

Agreed...but that's not even the complete picture...I strongly believe this move was made because the Lakers landed Dwight.

Presti basically traded

James Harden

for

Kevin Martin
Jermey Lamb
Toronto's Lotto Pick
Two other picks
and
Kendrick Perkins


It was pretty obvious that Perkins would have been traded for cap relief if the Thunder extended Harden. This move allows the Thunder to keep Ibaka/Perkins...which is as good of a counter to Gasol/Dwight as you can find currently in the league.

[SweetTouch]

Why do people think OKC won this deal? Kevin Martin is trash and Lamb is solid but it's doubtful he'll be as good as Harden. Overpaying for Ibaka has screwed them greatly.

You also forgot the picks. It's better to get something than nothing for Harden.

OKC won the deal especially since they got Lamb who is suppose to be the next TMac.

Notsureifsrs

[SCourGe OF GoD]

OKC should be arrested for grand theft. Martin, Lamb, and 2 1st round picks for a bench player that was going to leave them with nothing. damn. Martin for Harden alone would've been a fair deal. HOU GM is nuts. First overpaying for Lin, now selling the farm for a glorified bench player.

You sound really ignorant here..

[Guy986]

This means Harden will get max money from the Rockets.

If the Rockets signed Harden to a max contract from free agency i wouldn't like it.

To give up 3 picks(2 of which lottery)for the chance to give the beard 13 million a year is disgusting.

[DusterBuster]

Wow, I did NOT see that coming! I guess the Thunder were serious about not wanting to pay Harden and the lux tax.

[Black_Jack21]

Not a perfect situation for OKC but they didn't have the room for harden to get a max deal did they?

Eric maynor can fill the back up guard role and Martin can still provide some offense from the bench and lamb will eventually give them a good defensive option without sacrificing offense like they are forced too with Thabo.

Houston get a great deal, but it could be works for OKC, get some picks along with lamb and Martin. As opposed to losing him in the offseason.

I guess we'll see how it pans out. I still think they can beat LA, lakers will be good but I have reservations about their ability to contain Durant and Westbrook.

[XcalibuR]

Very sad to see Lamb go. I think we slightly overpaid for Harden, but not for what Harden can potentially become. I mean the guy is only 23 and has progressed every year. Asik, Lin and Harden, three players who can play but also have a lot of upside left untapped.