That's right - unable to agree to a contract extension, OKC trades Harden to Houston for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and a draft pick. Rockets also get Cole Aldredge, Lazar Haywood and Dequan Cook. Wow!

holy. fucking. shit. i did not see that coming.

This had more to do with his, "No Show" performance in last years finals, than anything else.

We won't miss Martin. He plays no defense whatsoever. I don't know much about Harden. It seemed like to me last year that he was the "it" player for a little while. Is he really good?

I've never heard of anyone else in the trade, but I don't follow the NBA much any more.

Saw this one coming, no way was OKC gonna pay him top dollar when they already have two maxed out players in Durant and Westbrook.

Somewhere in California, The Los Angeles Lakers are more confident that they will be back in the NBA Finals this season.

OKC got the better of this deal long term.

Graycap23 said:

OKC got the better of this deal long term.

When it comes to them, I don't believe in long term. They have shown that they are capable of getting there and with James, they could have done so last year, (If the nerves did get to him). I think the loss of him has set them back and has opened the door for the Lakers.

shorttrini said:

Graycap23 said:

OKC got the better of this deal long term.

When it comes to them, I don't believe in long term. They have shown that they are capable of getting there and with James, they could have done so last year, (If the nerves did get to him). I think the loss of him has set them back and has opened the door for the Lakers.

I hear u.....but Harden CHOKED big time in the Finals. I would have probably run this dude out of town myself if given the chance. Some of those bad plays he made in the Finals were very suspect, as if he was throwing games in my opinion.

Graycap23 said:

shorttrini said:

When it comes to them, I don't believe in long term. They have shown that they are capable of getting there and with James, they could have done so last year, (If the nerves did get to him). I think the loss of him has set them back and has opened the door for the Lakers.

I hear u.....but Harden CHOKED big time in the Finals. I would have probably run this dude out of town myself if given the chance. Some of those bad plays he made in the Finals were very suspect, as if he was throwing games in my opinion.

I kinda see your point. On the otherhand, where they needed another player to help bring up the ball,(aside from Wesbrook & Durant) now they need another player for that outside game. Something tells me that this team just threw away their entire season, to ensure the Lakers get another ring...

shorttrini said:

Graycap23 said:

OKC got the better of this deal long term.

When it comes to them, I don't believe in long term. They have shown that they are capable of getting there and with James, they could have done so last year, (If the nerves did get to him). I think the loss of him has set them back and has opened the door for the Lakers.

The door is only opened for LA for the next 2 seasons.

OKC's "addition by addition" strategy may pay off but not this year because the continuity is affected.

The Wild Card -- how healthy does LA remain?

shorttrini said:

Graycap23 said:

I hear u.....but Harden CHOKED big time in the Finals. I would have probably run this dude out of town myself if given the chance. Some of those bad plays he made in the Finals were very suspect, as if he was throwing games in my opinion.

I kinda see your point. On the otherhand, where they needed another player to help bring up the ball,(aside from Wesbrook & Durant) now they need another player for that outside game. Something tells me that this team just threw away their entire season, to ensure the Lakers get another ring...

Martin is legit and lamb was a 1st round pick this year. Both of those guys may wind up contributing this year.

Graycap23 said:

shorttrini said:

I kinda see your point. On the otherhand, where they needed another player to help bring up the ball,(aside from Wesbrook & Durant) now they need another player for that outside game. Something tells me that this team just threw away their entire season, to ensure the Lakers get another ring...

Martin is legit and lamb was a 1st round pick this year. Both of those guys may wind up contributing this year.

Agreed. OKC's wild card is, and remains, Westbrook. He now has even fewer excuses to jack up shots. Martin can fill it up, and Lamb apparently has a very high ceiling. Russell HAS to start distributing.

namepeace said:

Graycap23 said:

Martin is legit and lamb was a 1st round pick this year. Both of those guys may wind up contributing this year.

Agreed. OKC's wild card is, and remains, Westbrook. He now has even fewer excuses to jack up shots. Martin can fill it up, and Lamb apparently has a very high ceiling. Russell HAS to start distributing.

Yep.