Nets acquire James Harden in four-team deal with Rockets, Pacers, Cavs
We're reacting to the four-team blockbuster trade NOW. Come hang out with me, @NekiasNBA and @SpinDavies: https://t.co/7YyyjPCyU3
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) January 13, 2021
Reporting w/ @RamonaShelburne: Brooklyn’s acquiring James Harden in a three-way deal with Cleveland. Caris LeVert, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, four 1st round picks – including Cavs’ 2022 first via Bucks -- and 4 Nets pick swaps to Rockets. Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince to Cavs. The Rockets are expanding the deal to send Caris LeVert to the Pacers for Victor Oladipo, sources tell ESPN.
Here is the deal laid out courtesy of Shams Charania.
Sources: Full current trade:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 13, 2021
Rockets: Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, 3 BKN first-rounders (22, 24, 26), 1 MIL first (22, unprotected), 4 BKN 1st round swaps (21, 23, 25, 27)
Nets: James Harden
Pacers: Caris LeVert, 2nd-rounder
Cavs: Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN
ANALYSIS: The biggest blockbuster trade of the season sends the disgruntled Harden to Brooklyn, where he joins Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in an imposing "Big Three." But Harden is not the only major piece in the deal. Victor Oladipo had been rumored to want out of Indiana during the offseason, but that noise had quieted as he and the Pacers have gotten off to a strong start this season.
Now Oladipo is the arguable best player in Houston, who also received a treasure trove of draft assets from the Nets. Indiana returns a dynamic scorer in Caris LeVert and a second-round pick. Cleveand also got in on the deal and returned yet another quality big man in Jarrett Allen.
Once the dust settles from this monster deal, the Eastern Conference in particular will be that much more imposing with Harden joining the Nets.