Here’s Why The Rockets Traded James Harden For Practically Nothing

The NBA just had a huge trade go down that saw 4 teams trade players. In the deal James Harden was sent from Houston to Brooklyn, who received Victor Oladipo in return for Carius Levert who was routed to Indiana. The Rockets also got 4 first rounders and 4 pick swaps in return.

Why did the Rockets do this?

Very simple reason. It sets them up for success in a post Lebron/post Durant NBA.

The players that the Rockets got back are all on the last year of their contracts. They will not be there longterm. The Rockets can even flip them and picks now for a young star like Bradley Beal (though John Wall would probably not like that.)

The Rockets are playing the long game. They have expirings, picks that go until 2027, and get cap space in the immediate future. The Rockets can reboot and trade up for a Cade Cunningham in the draft, or just wait and build their team for the next six seasons as giants like Lebron, Curry, and Durant retire.

Details of the James Harden Trade

The NBA is a “win now” culture but there is something to be said for building for the future. Especially in a market like Houston where you will always attract free agents and young players will want to resign. If the Rockets play their cards right they can rebuild and be one of the teams on the rise in the second half of the 2020’s!