Adrian Wojnarowski unleashed not a Woj Bomb, but a Woj Nuke. Superstar shooting guard James Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. The full trade is here:
Nets get: Harden
Pacers. get: Caris Levert, 2nd round pick
Cavaliers get: Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince
Rockets get: Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, four first-round picks and four pick swaps with Brooklyn.
I’m here to break down the winners and losers of the trade.
WINNER: James Harden
James Harden has wanted to leave Houston since the offseason. He finally gets his wish. He goes from Houston, a fringe contender, to the new NBA title favorites. If Kyrie Irving does not retire, Brooklyn has the best big-three in the league. The real question is if Harden can co-exist with KD and Kyrie.
LOSER: Jarrett Allen
Oof. Allen goes from a contending Brooklyn team to a rebuilding Cavaliers team. A Cavs team, to add, that also already has big men Andre Drummond and Kevin Love. Allen’s best skill is his board crashing. You know what Drummond’s best skill is? Board Crashing. Not to mention that he will know most likely be coming off the bench.
WINNER: Indiana Pacers
In the offseason, there were some rumors that Victor Oladipo had requested a trade from Indiana. He later denied this, but I’m going to assume there were some talks about it. He’s now gone, and he’s been replaced by Caris Levert. In my opinion, Levert is a better player. So theoretically Indiana should have given up something else right? WRONG. Indiana also got a pick. A second round one yes, but a pick is a pick. Nikola Jokic was a second round pick, so you never know who the Pacers could get there.
LOSER: The NBA
After Kawhi Leonard passed over joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers, and Kevin Durant left the Golden State Warriors, the “Big 3 Era” of the NBA, which started with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, ended. Personally, I was very happy. I hate league monopolies and the fact that every title contender was lead by a duo, and none had a trio, was much more interesting to me. But no. James Harden chose to leave his duo with John Wall and bring back the big 3. Personally, I think the entire NBA loses this one.
Image: Getty
