A historic day in NBA history as one of the best scorers the games has ever seen is headed to a team that also has two historic scorers at their respective positions. James Harden to the Nets. Teaming up with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. That will be the headline. However this was essentially a four team trade that included the Rockets, Pacers, and Cavaliers.
Here is the tweet after all the pieces have been moved:
As the title suggests I like the compensation that every team got in this trade. Even though some got more than others this was a strong trade for all teams involved. Here’s why:
How The Cavaliers Won
The Cavs win this trade because all they gave up was Dante Exum, Milwaukee’s 2022 first round pick and a 2024 2nd round pick in order to get back Jarrett Allen. A Center who is only 22 years old and has shown a lot of promise in the few times he has had an expanded role. They also get Taurean Prince for some wing depth. In addition to getting a young promising Center like Allen they are no longer obligated to hang on to their current Center, Andre Drummond. So, now they can move him at the deadline and get something in return, since his contract is expiring this season.
How The Pacers Won
Caris LeVert has also shown a lot of promise in the times he has been in an expanded role. He was leading the Nets offense whenever both Irving and Durant weren’t playing and he normally has a very good game. As much as I believe Indiana wanted to make it work with Oladipo, with his struggle to stay healthy, as well as being on an expiring contract with no firm commitment to staying, it was better to move on and get something in return. With LeVert, they get some who is slightly young, slightly less expensive, much healthier, and is under contract beyond this season.
How The Rockets Won
Obviously, being the team to trade away a superstar caliber player, the compensation will be quite nice. First, they get Victor Oladipo–who they are technically trading Caris LeVert for. As mentioned, he is on an expiring deal, so this will be kind of like an audition to see how well Oladipo, Wall, Woods, and Cousins would mix. If they it doesn’t work out they can let him walk or trade him at the deadline. If something good happens then they can work on him getting re-signed.
Then, getting four unprotected first round picks as well as four unprotected swaps is pristine in the basketball world. They more than make up what they lost trading for Westbrook. With the amount of draft picks they got, along with Oladipo and Cousins on expiring contracts, the Rockets could go into a full rebuild. With the only loose ends being Eric Gordon with two years–the last year not being fully guaranteed–and John Wall who has one year left plus a player option. Both easily tradeable contracts.
How The Nets Won
They get James [Bleeping] Harden. Sure, he’s been a negative influence as of late. Sure, he’s out of shape. However, now that he is finally where he wants to be, having a James Harden who will refocus on basketball, is a scary thought for the league. He’s expressed how he wants to play more off-ball and is comfortable playing more off-ball. So, now he wants to be an offense where the other superstars can be involved. When Kyrie finally returns the Nets will be unbeatable in a playoff series.
For those who question how this will work, there were questions on how Durant and Curry were going to work. There were questions on how Lebron, Wade, and Bosh were going to work. Never question how talented players will figure it out because they always will. If the star players for the Nets stay healthy, don’t be surprised if they win it all…
