Harden Traded to the Rockets!

[Guy986]

Lin / Livingston / Machado
Harden / Douglas?
Parsons / Delfino
Patterson / Jones / Motiejunas
Asik / Smith

What will happen with Morris & White? I think D-League for the latter, but no idea with the former.

Livingston can play 2. Delfino can and should play 2. Morris can play backup 3.

[eliasrapp98]

So I just got home to read this, and my cousin called me to tell me about a minute later. He said losing Lamb hurts, but at least they didn't trade Royce White. To be honest, I don't know who either of them are or if losing White would have been worse.

Given my ignorance of the current state of the Rockets' roster I'm against this trade. They gave up the Toronto pick which was going to be a lottery pick. There's a good chance they won't be drafting anyone better than Harden with it, but I'm not convinced James Harden is worth max money.

Toronto is an 8th seed this year. With Lowry, Ross, Derozen, Bargs, and Valc they will be IMO. IMO it's basically Lamb and an expiring for Harden at 14 mill. Not bad at all.

[mrknowitall215]

Kevin Martin's career averages are higher than James Hardens' career high!!! and then you throw in losing a future stud like Jeremy Lamb!!! and then you throw in losing a two future 1st round draft picks from a lottery dwelling team like the Raptors and a declining Mavericks team!!! Daryl Morey should read 'Derelict Moron'!!!

[rocketsballin]

wtf this was random as hell. totaly unexpected

i gotta say i dont like this. i think harden is overrated. if we only got harden back i'd say we got ripped off but we got something in return, not complete scrubs imo. i never wanted harden, he wants a max deal.

i really liked lamb, thought he's the only player from this and last years draft to be a solid all star.

i dont like it. i'd rather keep martin till the deadline, and watch your young guys develop, see if we could get something from drafts. when i saw the headline i thought we traded half our roster for him. good thing we didnt

[Guy986]

Obviously this trade improves us short term. Harden is a huge uprgrade over Martin. The beard can handle, pass, rebound; do everything type. Still not convinced he is max contract quality. We gave up too much.

[eliasrapp98]

Kevin Martin's career averages are higher than James Hardens' career high!!! and then you throw in losing a future stud like Jeremy Lamb!!! and then you throw in losing a two future 1st round draft picks from a lottery dwelling team like the Raptors and a declining Mavericks team!!! Daryl Morey should read 'Derelict Moron'!!!

Harden shoots nearly 50% from the floor while Martin shoots 41.5%. That's a big difference. Also Lamb isn't a for sure future stud. Harden is by far better. And you give up 2 8th seed 1sts. Toronto is the 8th best team in the East as with the Mavs in the west.

[Mr. E]

Of Cole Adrich, Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward is there anything to be excited about?

Or are they roster cut fodder?

[TMACFORMVP]

I really like James Harden game. He's not a very good defender, but he's a terrific offensive player. You know how many players in NBA history averaged at least 16 PPG on at least .650 TS%? Barkley 4x, Dantley 2x, Gilmore 5x, C.Maxwell 2x, McHale 2x, and Nash/Amar'e once a piece.

But besides that, he's a terrific playmaker, especially in the pick and roll. I think that's one of the reasons I'm more hopeful that he can be adequate as a "first option" sort player. I mean, he has the ability to take over games for stretches in a ball game, and that's something we haven't had in a while...IMO, he was one of the best pick and roll players in the game last season.

Now, value wise, I think we gave up a fair amount. But Kevin Martin wasn't in our future plans, and to tbh, I don't think he has that much value around the league. I don't think the Dallas pick is all that much in terms of assets, and let's hope Toronto makes the playoffs now... . I love Lamb's potential, but not more than the player Harden is right now, nor more than the potential he holds..

Yes, he sucked in the Finals, but he was a monster against SA and DAL. I think it will be very interesting to see how he fits into #1 option role on our team.

[Guy986]

Hurry somebody make a Kevin Martin appreciation thread!!

[Don Draper]

I tried to talk myself into this trade but I can't. We gave up too much.

[Dragic13]

Lin / Livingston / Machado
Harden / Douglas?
Parsons / Delfino
Patterson / Jones / Motiejunas
Asik / Smith

What will happen with Morris & White? I think D-League for the latter, but no idea with the former.

Why is Montiejunas 3rd string? Im not asking because I know more than you but because you may know more then me. Just didnt want the quesiton to sound harsh

I watched Montiejunas every summer league game and was amazed by his play. I thought he would be the next best big man. His passing/shooting/movement/energy/motivation/skill Idk he seemed spot on. I was super excited to watch him this season...

I know just summer league But I mean are Patterson and Jones that much better?

sorry for a little off-topic! Grr harden!

[YellowMamba7]

would've liked the trade if it didnt include lamb, i like his shot, and giving top 2 draft picks for a max contract James Harden? Harden is a nice player tho, love his beard but it seems like Morey is desperate......

[inquisitive]

i suspect cook, aldrich, and haywood are in the last year of their contracts right?

[TMACFORMVP]

Isn't the Mavs pick still top 20 protected? So, either we don't get the pick, or we get a pick from 20-30. There's a good possibility Toronto makes the playoffs this year with Lowry and Valanciunas, with the last few spots in the East being up for grabs. Unless we're under the impression that:

a.) KMart had big value
b.) Lamb was an equivalent prospect to Harden

then I'm not sure I truly buy the rationale that we overpaid. Keep in mind Harden is only 23, and coming off a nearly AS caliber season. Either he stays the same, or improves with a bigger role. I'm usually more pessimistic, but I'm a huge Harden fan, so I think I like this one.

[Mr. E]

Dragic13 - you will not find a bigger Motie fan in Houston than me (seriously - it should be my user title), but it really sounds like Jones has outplayed him for the backup role of PF.

I do think that Motie is our future PF, but may need a season in the NBA to get to that point. I do think that he'll get a lot of minutes, but he may split time between the 4 & 5 (and possibly even a tall 3)

[inquisitive]

Unless Morey has a plan to get another star to pair up with Harden, but we really don't have any trade assets to lure another all-star player unless there is some star who can't agree to an extension with their current team....LOL

[clockwork]

no motherf$%^ing way.

[clockwork]

I hate this deal...this sucks that we gave up Lamb....why couldn't we give them a PF!

seriously, they could have given up one power forward to lighten the load.

[Mr. E]

Unless Morey has a plan to get another star to pair up with Harden, but we really don't have any trade assets to lure another all-star player unless there is some star who can't agree to an extension with their current team....LOL

We are going to have cap room. We are possibly the most intriguing team in basketball right now (so many questions - people are going to be paying attention). There is no state tax in Texas. We have a GM who isn't scared to swing for the fences.

Yeah, this could all blow up in our faces, but my God...I am so happy that we have something different to look forward to!

Yes, there is still the chance that we could fail spectacularly...that will appease the pro-tank lobby. On the other hand, there is the possibility that the Lin/Harden/Parsons/Patterson or Whomever/Asik lineup just might need that one more piece to get them over!

Don't forget that we still have our own draft pick this year. We also do not have to watch the Raptors like hawks, praying for their failure to try to get a top pick who may or may not pan out.

I am really liking this move. Of course, I am admittedly so overly-positive at times that it makes people sick, so take my opinion how you will!

[rocketsballin]

i'll be patient with thsi. i dont like it now. still in a rebuilding phase. just dont like harden, unless he takes a cheper contract, i doubt he even considers that