2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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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   John L. 07-07-2011 11:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 2) 24     21 You forgot the most likely - Pau Gasol. The Lakers know they need to make a move, and Gasol wants out. Don't be shocked when he's sent to an Eastern Conference team like Atlanta or Orlando. Dave 07-07-2011 09:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2) 21     21 I don't quite completely understand. If the team cuts a player, and still has to pay the player's salary, what's the point of it? nycsportzfan 07-07-2011 05:44 am xxx.xxx.xxx.134 (total posts: 1) 25     22 I think it would be wise for the knicks to look into trying to obtain Chris Kaman, and going way of hte Mavericks and builidng like that.. Give em Landry Fields and toney douglas, and then u got Melo, Amare, Kaman, Billups, Shumpert, re-sign Shawne Williams, Turiaf, harrelson, re-sign ant carter, sign Deshawn Stevenson, rautins, and re-sign bill walker..THen u have more money after the season as well.. Kaman Amare Melo Shumpert Billups Shawne Williams(re-signed Turiaf Deshawn Stevenson(sign) Harrelson Ant Carter(re-sign) Rautins Bill Walker(re-sign) jgardner12 07-02-2011 01:21 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.37 (total posts: 2) 21     21 Ahh did not know that part of the rule, thanks for clearing that up for me. David Kay 07-01-2011 04:51 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.17 (total posts: 1) 20     21 @jgardner12 The rule in 2005 stated a team cannot re-sign the player they cut... which is why I would be hesitant to cut Johnson especially with Crawford a free agent, suddenly you have no shooting guard. @waltair I believe the fifth year has an option on it, so I should have stated three-years, $21 million guaranteed waltair 06-30-2011 02:56 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3) 21     21 LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT waltair 06-30-2011 02:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3) 25     20 outlaw has 4 year 28 mil on his contract jgardner12 06-30-2011 01:01 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.37 (total posts: 2) 30     21 While I understand staying loyal to your star, the hawks should defiantly use it on Johnson. JJ is a wonderful player and they want him in ATL but seriously the dude isn't worth it. I mean the money he has left is close to the amount that Wade took to stay in Miami.. Again while I understand the predicament a JJ led team isn't going to win anything so might as well admit your mistake of signing him and sign him if possible to a more in line contract.. Walter 06-30-2011 01:24 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10) 22     22 @Dave - Now I do. The only Allen error was in the header, hence it was an editing mistake on my part. David spelled Allan correctly everywhere else. Dave 06-29-2011 04:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.25 (total posts: 1) 21     20 You do know it's spelled A-L-L-A-N, right? Mile High 06-25-2011 11:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx.153 (total posts: 1) 21     21 the reason the Nuggets dealt Felton was because he wants to be a starter, which he will never be in Denver. Ty Lawson is the Franchise guard, and keeping Felton impedes his progress. Therefore, they traded Felton, a rising star with high value, for Miller, who will accept coming off the bench, plus they picked up Hamilton who they were targeting. Captain Obvious 06-24-2011 10:41 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.25 (total posts: 1) 23     22 You said: "After Thursday evening, it will mark three years in a row that a point guard went first overall..." WTF happened to Blake Griffin??? LOL. waltair 06-21-2011 09:41 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3) 23     23 waltare you need a cheif editor this is bad Walter 06-21-2011 01:43 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10) 20     19 Thanks, Fitz. Fixed. Austin 06-19-2011 01:18 am xxx.xxx.xxx8.49 (total posts: 1) 19     21 If Leonard can prove he is capable of knocking down shots, the raptors might reach for him at five, he can provide the rebounding that their bigs, not pointing fingers but a seven foot i-tie, don't. It's a reach for sure, but it might be a good fit. He will also improve their abominable defense. Pages: 1 2 3 4 56 7

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