James Harden traded to the Rockets

[BVPN]

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.

Yeah, the next Tmac went 12th in the draft.

[sanity]

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

Lebron James had a horrible showing in the finals against San Antonio. How is that a basis for even rating a player's worth anyway?

[ropjhk]

If you had to trade Harden then the value that OKC got was pretty good. The thing is that they didn't have to trade Harden. This shows us what kind of owner Bennett is. He's not the type who will open his wallet to get his team over the hump.

OKC will be a top 5 team so long as Durant and Westbrook are there and healthy, but the idea of OKC becoming another dynasty is over.

[Tirion]

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

AND they can keep Perkins

Who was AWFUL in the playoffs for two straight years.

But they get to keep him, yay!

[Muggsy Bogues]

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.

OKC is a tiny market; they just can't afford to keep the team together. Now if they'd stayed in a larger market, like let's say Seattle...

[Catchall]

Kevin Martin is a pretty 1-dimensional player with a history of injuries. Jeremy Lamb is a nice prospect, but not worth Harden. I think OKC slides a bit on this. They are probably looking at other moves too.

[SweetTouch]

@JRudolphSports: OKC just became the 2009-10 Orlando Magic; Kevin Martin is playing the role of Vince Carter. Bad trade, rushed decision for the Thunder.

[lakerhater]

Both teams lost in this deal. Houston has to overpay Harden who isn't worth a max contract. OKC downgrades their current roster from title contender. Martin has a really difficult time staying healthy, will he even be there for OKC come playoff time?

[gethigh]

OKC is a tiny market; they just can't afford to keep the team together. Now if they'd stayed in a larger market, like let's say Seattle...

[LoneyROY]

At least all the Harden advanced stat-heads will fall to the wayside now that he's in Houston and can no longer lean on Durant/Westbrook.

[Bertrob]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... rden-trade

[deNIEd]

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

AND they can keep Perkins

Who was AWFUL in the playoffs for two straight years.

But they get to keep him, yay!

Perkins is useless against teams like Miami.

Perkins does better/should do better against players like Dwight, Bynum, Gasol.

[EntropyPR]

And here I thought the big news would be over for a while. Did OKC just go from favorites in the west to second faves?

[Little Digger]

99% of the time the team that landed the best player won the deal..So unless the Thunder hit it big with one of the draft picks., this deal has a clear winner. Houston.

[RatherUnique]

In the event that Lamb follows the same career projectory as Harden , Russ Durant & Serge will still be on the books 3 years from now so they'll have to ship out Lamb too.

[Dragic13]

I dont like this trade for Houston imo.

Although they got rid of Kevin Martin they lost Jermey Lamb who I think will be a great NBA player who hasnt had the slightest chance to prove him self yet.

Houston gets Harden who has been a great sixth man because he has been the first option off the bench.

If you plan to start Harden you wont get the same production out of him unless you make him the first option.

And even if he is made the first option it seems he needs the ball to produce. What will Lin do?

Also there are a few things to consider about Harden.

1. His finals/playoff performance
2. Flop rule
3. Need to control the ball

Rockets have two pass first PGS in Lin and Machado. Which doesnt suit Harden well since he needs the ball. Harden is a good passer but if he controls the ball what will Machado and Lin do since they arent the best at scoring?

Anyways there all sorts of factors for why im not high on Harden. I may not explain myself well....But I dont think he will be the same Harden as you saw in OKC. And I think losing Jermey Lamb is a big loss.

Well anyways thats my short ramble.

[Bertrob]

@JRudolphSports: OKC just became the 2009-10 Orlando Magic; Kevin Martin is playing the role of Vince Carter. Bad trade, rushed decision for the Thunder.

Except the Magic were going to the Finals and might have even beat LA if they hadn't run into BOS, which was the worst possible matchup.

[RunSunRun]

Damn, there goes my hope of Harden coming back home to Phoenix anytime soon.

Now I have to hope for the Rockets to completely suck for the next year or two and for him to demand a trade,

[sisibilio]

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.

Yeah, the next Tmac went 12th in the draft.

He might not be the next Tmac but neither is Harden.

[SCourGe OF GoD]

If Morey could have kept the Toronto pick this would be such an epic trade