2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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James Harden Trade Analysis - Oct. 29





The Thunder receive: SG-Kevin Martin, SG-Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick

The Rockets receive: SG-James Harden, G/F-Daquean Cook, SF-Lazar Hayward, and C-Cole Aldrich

Why this makes sense for Oklahoma City:

I thought at first this was a rare knee-jerk reaction from Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti after he determined that the Thunder was not going to offer Harden the max contract he was coveting. It has been reported that the bearded lefty turned down a 4-year, $55.5 million offer, which is $4.5 million less than the most a team is allowed to offer someone whose rookie contract is winding down.

With Oklahoma City having Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka all signed to long-term deals that will total nearly $47 million for the 2013-14 season, I figured Harden wouldn't get the deal he was seeking from the Thunder and probably be sent packing after this season in some sort of sign-and-trade deal. However, Presti decided not to wait around and instead pulled the trigger days before the season tips-off.



Oklahoma City acquires in return Kevin Martin, who will replace Harden as the big-time bench scorer, assuming head coach Scott Brooks keeps Thabo Sefalosha in the starting lineup and brings Martin off the bench. Lamb, meanwhile, was the 12th-overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and is a talented, though streaky, scorer who will likely be a future replacement for Martin once his contract ends after this season.

Presti also brings in three assets in draft picks. One coming from Toronto, which Houston received in the Kyle Lowry deal, and the other is a future Dallas first-rounder. Both have certain protections to them but arm Presti with future ammunition either as trade bait or young talent to add depth to the team.

Does Oklahoma City become a better team because of this trade this season? Absolutely not. It certainly does keep the Thunder a contender in the West, though I think the Lakers are the team to beat. It also keeps Oklahoma City's future bright and rids the team of having to make any sort of rash decision next summer or some panicked deal like we saw from Orlando this summer with Dwight Howard. Presti showed some monster balls by swinging this deal, and while it may not be the popular move, it was a wise decision to keep the Thunder franchise looking bright for the future.



Why this makes sense for Houston:

General manager Daryl Morey was stacking up assets in hopes of landing a star player and feels his team has now acquired one in Harden. The Rockets are happily going to give him the extra $4.5 million that Thunder wouldn't and sign him to a long-term extension, which makes him their immediate franchise player. Only time will tell if Harden can truly carry a team, but many feel he the makings of being that type of player.

With that being said, I don't think this makes Houston a playoff team this year. How about this nugget: once Harden inks that extension, he, Jeremy Lin, and Omer Asik will be making almost $45 million combined for the 2014-15 season. That is a TON of money to be paying a "Big 3" that isn't close to being a true "Big 3" by NBA standards. Still, this was a no-brainer trade from Houston's perspective.



Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:

James Harden Trade Analysis - 10/29
What Will the USA Basketball Team Look Like at 2016 Summer Olympics? - 8/15
Dwight Howard Trade Analysis - 8/10
Restricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/29
Unrestricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/28
2012 NBA Offseason Winners - 7/23
2012 NBA Offseason Losers - 7/21
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/13
Outstanding 2013 NBA Draft Trades - 7/12
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/10
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/6
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/4
Atlanta Hawks' Trades Recap - 7/3
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/2
2012 NBA Draft Winners - 6/30
2012 NBA Draft Losers - 6/30
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/28
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/27
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Perry Jones - More Risk or Reward? - 6/26
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Henson One of NBA Draft's Most Overrated Players - 6/25
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Vanderbilt to See Three Commodores Taken in NBA Draft - 6/22
Wizards-Hornets Trade Analysis - 6/21
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Doron Lamb: Stepping out of Kentucky Shadows into NBA Draft - 6/20
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Memphis' Will Barton Sneak into 1st round of 2012 NBA Draft? - 6/19
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Baylor's Quincy Miller Made a Mistake by Entering NBA Draft - 6/16
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Duke's Austin Rivers live up to the hype in the NBA? - 6/15
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor Be a True NBA Point Guard? - 6/14
2012 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/30
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Winners - 3/19
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Losers - 3/18
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Five Players Likely to Be Traded - 3/8
2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   MaliceAtThePalace 03-09-2012 01:38 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.201 (total posts: 1) 50     24 Stephen Jackson is a phenomenal teammate. Just ask Ron Artest back in '04. Sean Shearier 03-09-2012 12:27 am xxx.xxx.xxx.117 (total posts: 1) 22     133 great site lots of information. Please check out www.walloffamesports.com Mike again 12-25-2011 02:01 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.237 (total posts: 2) 23     24 Lakers got Mavs first rounder this year for odom mike 12-25-2011 01:56 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.237 (total posts: 2) 30     42 you still have the clippers owning the twolves pick Joe 12-23-2011 11:05 am xxx.xxx.xxx.204 (total posts: 1) 54     26 Walt, I dont think you understand what the Amnesty Clause does. The contract doesnt count against the payroll, but you still have to pay the player. You dont just get out of the contract for free. There was no point in using it on Rashard Lewis, because he can still at least play. Even if you are paying him a ton of money, he can still give you decent minutes. Plus, next year, he is a huge expiring that can be used as a trade chip. Pete 12-23-2011 01:45 am xxx.xxx.xxx.167 (total posts: 1) 24     33 Dude Wizards don't amnesty Lewis because if they did, they would be significantly below the salary cap floor imposed on teams, forcing them to spend a bunch of money on an extremely weak free agent class. Makes sense that they wouldn't amnesty him because of that. Walter 12-23-2011 12:11 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10) 142     24 Ugh, what page is that on? Editing at 3 am apparently isn't a good idea. Oh, and I'm always up this late during football season. My Russian gypsy neighbors are surprisingly quiet. Peter 12-22-2011 04:25 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.62 (total posts: 1) 23     24 Walter - Aren't you an English major? Or should I say, Engrish major? "However, if Davis plays with a chip on his shoulder, he provides the Knicks with a much-needed veteran experience in the backcourt, and unlike Mike Bibby, can still productive in the downside of his career." All kidding aside, you're doing a great job with this website. BTW, what are you doing up at 2:55 AM? Are the Russians keeping you up? Or are you trying to spy on the hot neighbor next door? Walter 12-22-2011 02:55 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10) 20     19 Sorry about that. It was my fault (editing error). I posted the wrong logo. It's fixed. Fitz 12-20-2011 08:03 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.242 (total posts: 2) 21     20 Dude can you please correct that Davis for Bass trade. Bass plays for Orlando, not Dallas. It is the most annoying thing seeing that big of a mistake on an otherwise good website Fitz 12-19-2011 02:58 am xxx.xxx.xxx.242 (total posts: 2) 20     36 Bass plays for Orlando. Therefore Glen Davis is going to Orlando. Can you please correct this already Bro 12-16-2011 10:44 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.89 (total posts: 1) 28     20 The Pistons bought out Rip Hamilton's contract so they could still use their amnesty on Ben Gordon. I was hoping that the Pistons wouldnt resign Tayshaun Prince so we could land the first pick of the draft and get a stud to join our young core of Greg Monroe, Austin Daye and Brandon Knight. But, the Pistons are stupid so they will rely on bums like Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon to win us out of a good draft pick and stay mediocre. Also... 12-16-2011 11:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4) 26     20 The Pistons bought out Rip's contract, and didn't use their amnesty clause yet. God willing, Ben Gordon is next to go. What an idiot 12-16-2011 11:08 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4) 23     21 Way to keep on your trades, Paul and Dave! Brandon Bass has been with the Magic for awhile now, kinda shocking Walt would let someone so in-ept write for his site. rossfelhofer 12-16-2011 01:16 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.43 (total posts: 1) 18     21 the clippers are not done in free agency yet, they are going to have to sign another big man Pages: 1 2 3 45 6 7

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22

2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25

2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG

2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23

2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)

2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports

2010-11 NBA Season Previews

2009 NBA Draft Grades





2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 23


2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22


2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21


Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20


NFL Picks - Feb. 3