The Houston Rockets sent James Harden to the Nets in a four-team mega-trade involving the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers, completing the star’s dissatisfied departure from Houston and establishing a potential super team in Brooklyn, sources Adrian Wojnarowski said. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
The Nets sent Houston a multiplayer and draft selection package that includes goalkeeper Caris LeVert, who was later traded to the Pacers for Victor Oladipo, sources told ESPN.
Center Jarrett Allen and Taurean striker Prince are heading from the Nets to the Cavs in agreement, according to sources, while the Rockets host Dante Exum, the Cleveland goalkeeper and Rodions Kurucs, the Brooklyn striker.
Houston also receives the three unprotected first-round picks from Brooklyn (2022, 2024 and 2026) in the transaction, plus election changes in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027, according to sources. The Rockets also receive Cleveland’s first pick in 2022 through the Milwaukee Bucks.
The deal brings Harden together with former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Kevin Durant and former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, who is now Steve Nash’s assistant coach. The Nets also have All-Star goalkeeper Kyrie Irving and should be considered a serious contender for the Eastern Conference title.
The change comes a day after Harden said the Rockets “just weren’t good enough” after a landslide loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Prior to trading, Rockets coach Stephen Silas told reporters Wednesday that Harden will not be in training, saying: “I thought it was better for the group and better that James didn’t come.”
Harden made it clear to owner Tilman Fertitta before the season that he did not believe in the franchise’s direction and ability to compete and preferred to be traded to a team that was in a better position to win, sources said.