More details have emerged about the trade that will send James Harden from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Houston Rockets, via Darnell Mayberry at The Oklahoman.
James Harden trade includes five other players, three picks
Along with Harden, the Rockets will receive center Cole Aldrich, outside shooting specialist Daequan Cook and rookie guard/forward Lazar Hayward. The Thunder will receive guard Kevin Martin, rookie guard/No. 12 overall pick Jeremy Lamb and three draft picks.
The picks the Thunder pickup are a 2013 protected first-round pick from the Toronto Raptors, a protected 2013 first round pick from the Dallas Mavericks, and a 2013 second-round pick from the Charlotte Bobcats. Houston acquired the Raptors' pick in the Kyle Lowry trade, the Mavericks' pick from the Lakers in the Derek Fisher deal, and the Raptors' pick in the Courtney Lee trade.
It’s not a terrible haul for the Thunder, given the fact that they had little leverage. Daryl Morey and every other general manager considering a deal for Harden was well aware that Oklahoma City was unlikely to give Harden a max deal and pay the luxury tax that would go along with it. Sam Presti is going to catch plenty of criticism, however, since that’s always the case when a general manager makes a big trade and doesn’t acquire the best player involved in the deal.
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