James Harden traded to the Rockets

[TheToothFairy]

People are overrating harden. He is AWFUL in the finals. Martin and Lamb plus 3 picks???

[black bart]

A more serious question; is this package better or worse than what Orlando received for Dwight?
I'll go with better, about 3x better, at the least.

No. This is one of the worst trades ever. Orlando couldn't sign howard or bynum most likely so they kept afflalo and decided to tank for the only player in this years draft (shabazz). There are no good players in the 2013 draft. Literally, one of the weakest drafts ever. Getting a 15 pick in that draft is worthless.

[poeman]

People either love it or hate it...means its a even trade

[branny]

What the bloody hell. DID NOT EXPECT THIS

[jefe]

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.

OKC had a legit shot at a title this year, and this trade decreased their chances IMO. In a vacuum, I agree with you - but when you have a shot at a title, you don't give that up for future draft picks and financial flexibility.

[gethigh]

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?

Richard Hamilton, Rudy Gay

[BeasleyTheBeast]

[FlipTSO]

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.

How was he going to leave them for nothing? He's a RFA not an UFA.

Because they made it clear they werent going to overpay for him? So w/e dumb team decided to offer him the max next year, he would've left the Thunder with nothing.

[DreDay]

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.

My sentiments. Harden is extremely overrated and we will all see it this year.

[sisibilio]

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

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

Traded Kyle Lowry to Raptors for Gary Forbes, 2013 first round pick (protected top 3 and 15-30 in 2013, top 2 and 15-30 in 2014-15, top 1 and 15-30 in 2016-17, unprotected in 2018)

Interesting pick no doubt.

[Mad Balla 15]

On a side note, the value of Harden for my fantasy team just skyrocketted. It's going to be interesting to see how he does as the #1 option and having to carry a team night in and night out.

[Bertrob]

@KingJames: Best of luck to my lil bro/homie @JHarden13 in H-Town! He bout to go HAM in his role now.

[SweetTouch]

@DLHQ: Sam Presti: "I am the one who knocks."

Funny tweet

[TheBigThree]

People are overrating harden. He is AWFUL in the finals. Martin and Lamb plus 3 picks???

Precisely. Harden isn't a #1 option.

OKC might miss out on the finals this year because of the trade, but this is a brilliant move for them for the next 5 years.

[EscapoTHB]

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?

I doubt he demanded a trade. I'm sure he thought he was negotiating and he would get paid like Westbrook and Durant did. I mean it's kind of bizarre that Presti traded him now considering he has basically two years left of him. This year, and then if they didn't want to pay him the max next summer--then they just give him the qualifying offer, and have him play out the string. I mean it seems very soon to pull the trigger when the guy isn't your franchise dude, but still part of your core.

But he got a decent return back, and Kevin Martin for what Harden is asked to do on the Thunder, might actually be a better fit with Westbrook than Harden because Martin is better off the ball than Harden. Might be able to start Martin instead of Sefalosha which would mean more offense in the starting lineup.

[perezident]

Eww dude looks terrible in that uni. Well...no one likes change!

[deNIEd]

People are overrating harden. He is AWFUL in the finals. Martin and Lamb plus 3 picks???

AND they can keep Perkins

[SCourGe OF GoD]

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.

Interesting way to look at it but that doesnt make it true/accurate

[criteriado]

I hate the trade for both teams. OKC got worse and now they're not winning the chip and Houston had picks, lamb, future...And now they're stucked with Harden, and they have no picks.

[Los Manos]

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

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

The raptors pick is heavily protected too.

OKC will only get it if the raptors miss the playoffs next year and it doesn't fall in the top 3. The next two years they only get it if the raptors miss the playoffs and it's not a top 2 pick. The same deal the next two years but not the 1st pick and then it loses its protection.