It finally happened. James Harden successfully forced his way out of Houston is now a member of the Brooklyn Nets. Holy crap! If this thing works, the ceiling of a team with Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant is easily championship caliber. That “if”, however, is one of the biggest “ifs” in the history of sports. Kyrie Irving is M.I.A., having limited contact with the Nets organization, after reportedly being frustrated with a lack of input on hirings such as head coach Steve Nash. Irving’s relationship with Kevin Durant, who appeared to be his best friend at one point, is being described by some as “distant”. Now James Harden is thrown to the mix, a guaranteed top 5-10 player in the league…….. when he wants to be. Hopefully a change of scenery gets him back into basketball shape, physically and mentally because after a stellar opening game Harden has lately appeared like he wants to be anywhere but a basketball court and is posting statistics that are very pedestrian by his standards.

The deal itself was a blockbuster 4 team deal that shook out like this:

Rockets receive: Victor Oladipo, Rodions Kurucs, Dante Exum, 4 unprotected 1st round picks (2022, 2024, 2026 from Brooklyn and 2022 from Miluakee via the Cavs), and 4 unprotected pick swaps (2021, 2023, 2025, and 2027 all from Brooklyn)

Nets receive: James Harden

Pacers receive: Caris Lavert, 2023 Houston 2nd round pick

Cavs receive: Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince

The Nets once again took a gamble to get what they think will be a super team. That is a massive haul to gamble on James Harden, you never know how high those picks will turn out. (Stop me if you’ve heard this before but Boston got Tatum and Brown from their Nets trade). Like I said earlier, if this works, the Nets could rip off a Warriors-esque dynasty. If it fails, who knows how long the Nets will pay the price. For the other three teams, it makes some sense. The Rockets getting a stud in Victor Oladipo, 2 young pieces in Kurcus and Exum, and a ton of draft capital is one of the greatest returns you could imagine getting for a disgruntled Harden, whose comments and attitude were deteriorating his value by the day. For Indiana, it was rumored that Oladipo wanted out as well (although at least he wasn’t throwing a tantrum like Harden), and Caris Lavert is a great young player that will fit nicely with the core of Brogdon, Sabonis, and Turner there. The Cavs got in on the deal giving up very limited risk and picked up a stud young big man in Jarrett Allen (who I have no idea why the Nets weren’t all in on keeping). It sure will be interesting to see how the East shakes out after this trade, and if Houston can turn things around with a Wall and Oladipo backcourt.