Oct. 28 Quick Hits: James Harden Trade Reaction

In a surprising move, the Oklahoma City Thunder dealt James Harden to the Houston Rockets just a couple days before the start of the NBA season. Here's what it means for both teams:

Houston Rockets:

Obviously, they view Harden as a franchise-defining player. They gave up Kevin Martin (who will become a free agent after the season), Jeremy Lamb (the 12th overall pick in the draft a couple months ago) and 3 future draft picks. That's a steep price, and a package you don't part with unless you think you're getting top-tier guy in return.

Harden had a nice season last year, but fell apart against the Heat in the Finals. The Rockets don't figure to sniff the Finals this season, so those questions will not factor in for this squad in 2012-13. From the Rockets point of view, they acquired one of the league's best young shooting guards. I'm not sure I personally buy into it, but the Rockets obviously think they have one of the best back-court duos now, as Harden will line-up beside Jeremy Lin, the Rockets' other big pick-up.

Kevin Martin and James Harden swapped teams, in a
stunning trade

The success of this season for the Rockets, then, hinges on how Harden and Lin develop together. They've sunk a lot of resources into two guards who still have a couple question marks surrounding their games. Because neither guys are sure-things, I don't love the new Rockets. That said, it should be easy for the fan-base to get behind a team built around two young guards who are both coming off career-years. They won't be a factor this year, but their expectations will be relatively low too.

Oklahoma City Thunder:

Score another one for Thunder GM Sam Presti. Kevin Martin should do a suitable job in Harden's old role—providing scoring off the bench, and leading the second unit. Lamb, meanwhile, is a nice prospect entering his rookie season. The Thunder drafted Perry Jones III in April, and between the two rookies the team added strength to the back of their lineup with two guys who could develop into much more than just role players. Both Martin and Lamb (and Jones, too) will get minutes and contribute to a contending team right away.

The best part of the deal, though, is the acquisition of draft picks. From my understanding one of the picks is a protected lottery pick, meaning the Thunder will pick near the top of the draft, and could end up adding another talented prospect next year, to go along with Jones III and Lamb. With a couple more guys like that, the Thunder could quickly become the deepest team in the league.

Essentially this deal ensures the Thunder will still contend this year (as Martin steps in for Harden), and for the foreseeable future (as Lamb and the picks mean this team will be riddled with young talent for the next few years).

(note: The Thunder also gave up Daequan Cook, Cole Aldrich and Lazar Hayward who were all role players on the squad)