Did Brooklyn Get Worse by Acquiring James Harden?
An absolutely hectic day in the NBA but, who are the real winners and losers?
I’m sure that by the time you are reading this article, James Harden will be traversing the many strip clubs Brooklyn has to offer because, he is the newest member of the Nets. The real question that looms in the air is; how will Harden fit in with the Nets?
On the surface, you may think that Steve Nash and the Nets are big winners but, in reality, I think Harden with Kyrie and KD is an awkward fit because, all three superstars need the ball in their hands to be effective. Brooklyn also, gave up a lot of pieces and by doing this, it diminishes the depth they had.
In what turned out to be a four team trade, Brooklyn looks like the team with egg on their face after having to give up Caris LeVert, Jarret Allen, Taurean Prince, and multiple first round picks, while also swapping a handful of picks.
Houston obtained Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, three first round draft picks from Brooklyn (2022, 2024, 2026), one first round pick from Milwaukee (2022), and four first round pick swaps from Brooklyn (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027). If you’re the Rockets, this may not feel like a win but, Harden had no desire to play in Houston and was becoming a locker room cancer.
A dark horse winner of this trade was the Cleveland Cavaliers who no one anticipated to see in this deal. They received Brooklyns starting center, Jarret Allen and forward Taurean Prince while giving up Dante Exum, a 2022 unprotected pick that they got from Milwaukee which lost value due to Giannis signing a new max deal, and a 2024 second round pick.
The Pacers only contribution to this deal was swapping guard Victor Oladipo for Caris LeVert with the Houston Rockets. Honestly, not an awful move if you’re Indiana because, you can free up a little cap by dealing Oladipo. You still got to keep Turner, Brogdon, and Sabonis and swapped players with pretty equal skill sets and talent.
While the dust begins to settle from this deal, Brooklyns new starting 5 should shape up to have Kyrie at point, Harden at shooting guard, Harris at small forward, Durant will play power forward and DeAndre Jordan at the center position. This starting 5 has 4 players that need to have the ball in their possession to be effective and three superstars means three huge egos.