Nets Acquire James Harden in Blockbuster Trade

Kevin Durant and James Harden are reunited once more as the Brooklyn Nets sent a haul of picks and players to land the eight-time All-Star.

In a four-way deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn sent Caris LeVert, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, four first round picks — including the Cavs’ 2022 first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks — and four pick swaps to the Rockets. Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince were sent to Cleveland. LeVert was then flipped by Houston for Victor Oladipo of the Pacers.

To many, the deal is reminiscent of the 2013 trade between the Nets and Boston Celtics when Brooklyn acquired Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry, among others, for three unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap that ultimately helped the Celtics land James Young, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum after another swap, and the Collin Sexton pick they traded for Kyrie Irving.

Harden was not quiet about his desire to leave the Rockets, with potential trade talks starting before the 2020-21 season. He did not report to camp and missed several practices. On Tuesday night following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Harden’s postgame interview demonstrated his displeasure with the organization and signaled he wanted out.

"I love this city. I've literally done everything I can. This situation is crazy. It’s something I don’t think can be fixed. Thanks."

—James Harden on the Rockets pic.twitter.com/LcPLn09TgE

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 13, 2021

Teammates of Harden, including John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, both made it clear they weren’t happy with the way their teammate handled the situation.

“It’s only been nine games. Come on, man, you want to jump off the cliff after nine games?"

John Wall on James Harden reportedly wanting out of Houston pic.twitter.com/rmevt9SntW

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 13, 2021

DeMarcus Cousins: "My interest is to play with John Wall, to be brutally honest. …The (Harden) disrespect started way before. This isn't something that, you know, all of a sudden started last night. …It's completely unfair to the rest of the guys in the locker room."

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 13, 2021

The trade was finalized after the Rockets elected to keep Harden away from Wednesday’s practice.

Still, the Eastern Conference got stronger by adding the former MVP (2018), as do the Nets. The six-time All-NBA First Team player (2014, 2015, 2017-2020) and three-time NBA scoring champion (2018-2020) has a career average of 25.2 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, and 6.3 assists per game over his 12 seasons in the NBA.

The addition of Harden to a lineup that already includes Durant and Irving will certainly put the league on notice, as the team’s odds to win the Championship improved after the acquisition.

(Photo: Carmen Mandato/USA TODAY Sports)