When James Harden essentially demanded a trade and ripped the Rockets in Tuesday night’s postgame press conference, it became increasingly clear that the Rockets couldn’t keep the disgruntled star in Houston.
Well, the Rockets didn’t wait long to respond at all.
According to reports from ESPN and The Athletic, the Rockets traded Harden on Wednesday to the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster, multi-team deal that sent four first-round picks to Houston. When the dust settles on the trade, the Rockets will have a massive haul that also includes Victor Oladipo from the Pacers.
But, really, this trade gives the Nets — already dealing with their own Kyrie Irving drama — a dynamic Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Harden and Irving.
Reporting w/ @RamonaShelburne: Brooklyn’s acquiring James Harden in a three-way deal with Cleveland. Caris LeVert, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, four 1st round picks – including Cavs’ 2022 first via Bucks — and 4 Nets pick swaps to Rockets. Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince to Cavs. https://t.co/qM0ZDH4dH3
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2021
The Indiana Pacers are moving Victor Oladipo to the Rockets for package around Caris LeVert, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 13, 2021
As you could expect, NBA fans and players had plenty of reaction to the league-changing trade.
Right before my nap huh . Most entertaining sport in the business
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) January 13, 2021
Woah😂
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) January 13, 2021
WOW
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) January 13, 2021
James Harden walking into the Nets locker room pic.twitter.com/RUSNB0wr0D
— sreekar (@sreekyshooter) January 13, 2021
Rockets Harden Nets Harden pic.twitter.com/ulMavqgeoM
— Adam Amin (@adamamin) January 13, 2021
LeBron seeing KD form another super team with Harden and Kyrie pic.twitter.com/JVmGX7naIu
— George Stewart (@georgezstewart) January 13, 2021
SHEESH 👀
— Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) January 13, 2021
Reading all these tweets Feels like every team was involved in this trade 😅
— Kobi Simmons (@JordanKobi) January 13, 2021
This Nets team could have the most drama in NBA history https://t.co/SCALu1zare
— matt (@sponhourm) January 13, 2021
The next Nets first round pick is 11 years old right now
— Aaron (@BobbyBigWheel) January 13, 2021
Is it over yet🙂🏀
— Grant Williams (@Grant2Will) January 13, 2021
James Harden, Jeff Green, and Kevin Durant are Brooklyn Nets. pic.twitter.com/zTXxQ5I8TJ
— Chris Walder (@WalderSports) January 13, 2021
Now, Brooklyn just needs to get Kyrie to show up to games.
