NBA superstar James Harden is no longer a Houston Rocket. Following a blockbuster four-team deal on Wednesday, James Harden is now a member of the Brooklyn Nets. Harden joins Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn to form a formidable big three.
The deal that sends Harden from Houston to Brooklyn also involves the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers. In order to acquire Harden, Brooklyn is sending Rodions Kurucs, 3 unprotected first round picks, and 4 pick swaps to Houston. Former-Nets players Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince are on their way to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland is sending Dante Exum and a 2022 first round pick to Houston. Though not yet official, Caris Levert, who was also sent to Houston by Brooklyn, is being traded to the Indiana Pacers for Victor Oladipo.
Brooklyn’s trade for Harden occurs as the team deals with drama surrounding one of its other two stars, Kyrie Irving. Irving has not played since January 5, as he has missed the past five games due to “personal reasons”. During his absence from the Nets, a video has surfaced of Irving without a mask at a birthday party for his sister, which allegedly happened during his hiatus. On Tuesday night, Irving was spotted on a Zoom call for Manhattan district attorney candidate Tahanie Aboushi.
Despite the drama with Irving and the COVID difficulties facing the NBA, the Brooklyn Nets now boast perhaps the most formidable starting five in the league. Brooklyn is now likely equal to or better than the Milwaukee Bucks in the pecking order of the Eastern Conference, and their three stars put them on the level of the Los Angeles Lakers with Lebron James and Anthony Davis.
Brendan McPherson | IG @brendan_mcpherson
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