Life after Harden

 

Written by B. Keith Crear | SFL Photo-Journalist

What will the Rockets Life after James Harden be?

It's been a little over a week since Harden was traded from the Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets. Before James left, he left a bad taste in the mouth of a few newly acquired Rockets players. 

Harden is joining old teammate Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to give the Nets a strong trio on the East.

The Nets acquired the three-time scoring champion from the Houston Rockets in a what has been a priority for Harden. His game play BEFORE the trade what VERY dismal on the court. He seemed to be just going through the motions. A couple of post interviews showed how James truly felt about the Rockets organization and teammates at the time. 

With Harden wanting a trade, one began to wonder why. The organization gave him all that he asked for to, YES producing in the regular seasons, BUT always fizzling out in the playoffs. His performance was NOT of 3X scoring champion. The divide in the city was rough over the trade. Some wanted to keep Harden, others were relieved he was gone.

In the trade, the Nets send center Jarrett Allen and forward Taurean Prince to Cleveland, and guard Caris LeVert and forward Rodions Kurucs, as well as three first round draft picks (2022, 2024 and 2026) and four first round pick swaps (2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027) to Houston. The Rockets also receive guard Dante Exum and a 2022 first round draft pick from Cleveland (via Milwaukee), and Brooklyn acquires a 2024 second round draft pick from the Cavaliers to complete the deal.

The deal also included the Indiana Pacers, which brought All-Star guard Victor Oladipo to Houston. Time will tell on how this new Rockets team will mesh with a new coach. To be fair, this new Rockets team is younger and faster and actually more competitive in my opinion. Its' been a long time since the Rockets have had a TRUE center on the court.