Trade for James Harden

[Venti Quattro]

The Thunder will always be a better franchise than the Clippers. Eat .

The Thunder have accomplished more in 5 years than the Clippers' 35-40 years of existence.

[thunderup]

This, glad we got rid of Martin. He can't play D, can't handle the ball, is un-clutch. Lamb looks promising but he is a late lotto rookie.

That Toronto pick is the only piece I'm hurting over, but we needed to land potential first option. Harden has never been a first option, but Morey obviously gambled. Let's see if he can survive a season leading a team.

Harden can't lead a team. You guys got screwed on that end of the deal.

[djohn2oo8]

Kevin "Chucker" Martin and Russell Westbrick on the same team

[Clipper Nation]

The Thunder have accomplished more in 5 years than the Clippers' 35-40 years of existence.

Same ring count and the Clippers lead the all-time franchise series...

[ElNono]

Well, OKC can't pay him. So they get an expiring deal and a pick.... I think it's a good deal for them, depending on the quality of the pick.

OKC will be ok because they'll go as far as KD take them regardless.

[thunderup]

The Thunder have accomplished more in 5 years than the Clippers' 35-40 years of existence.

Exactly. It's pretty funny that he has to rely on the small sample size of games between the two teams.

no other argument
the head-to-head sample size you rely on
franchise mired in quicksand full of

[Malik Hairston]

Similar or worse yearly salaries to Harden(I could be wrong on some of these, I would have to look it up)

Joe Johnson < Harden
Luol Deng < Harden
Andre Iguodala < Harden
Kevin Martin <<< Harden
Danny Granger < Harden
Rudy Gay < Harden
Monta Ellis < Harden
Eric Gordon < Harden
Manu Ginobili = or < Harden

[LkrFan]

Oh and cue the crybaby takes of Clipper Nation, a notoriously bad poster.

Keep crying.

The Thunder will always be a better franchise than the Clippers. Eat .

The Goods. Clipprs

[Clipper Nation]

Exactly. It's pretty funny that he has to rely on the small sample size of games between the two teams.

no other argument
the head-to-head sample size you rely on
franchise mired in quicksand full of

Thunder
Stolen franchise
Oil baron owners that are cheaper than Sterling in his prime
Needing injuries to CP3 and Griffin and extreme ref help against San Antonio to get to the Finals

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Houston is not a FA Mecca and they have no prospects worth the max. Harden would get multiple max offers if he were on the FA market. It's a 4 year deal so it's not like an ARod deal. Houston made out well.

What else are they going to do? Offer Bynum a max deal next year?

[LkrFan]

Kevin "Chucker" Martin and Russell Westbrick on the same team

Two chuckers that will take shots away from KD. Awesme

[lefty]

And with that, OKC just dropped to the 3rd or 4th seed

Not really


Harden is an overrated flopping playoff choker, and Presti would have found himself stuck with a an overpaid player and a fat contract if he re-signed him

[Kai]

Offer Bynum a max deal next year?

We still can. No way he takes it, but I highly doubt Morey's play is to just stop at acquiring one could-be franchise player.

[Malik Hairston]

A backcourt of Harden and Dragic would have been pretty nasty, tbh..

[ElNono]

Martin makes almost $14 millions, then comes off the books. It's clear Harden wanted at least that much. The problem for OKC keeping Harden for that money is that it prevents them from paying Sefolosha after next season and also they would've had to let Maynor walk. Now they get $14 million to play with next season PLUS a future pick

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The Goods. Clipprs

Be that as it may. Without Harden are you sure the Thunder beat the Clips in a best of 7?

Harden singlehandedly killed two of our comebacks in the WCF for all his issues in the Finals.

[Kai]

A backcourt of Harden and Dragic would have been pretty nasty, tbh..

Yep.

[Malik Hairston]

As I said at the time of the Asik signing, I like the addition for Houston..they overpaid, but he has the potential to be a top 5 defensive player in the NBA, and if he can improve his offense to a Marc Gasol level, it'll be worth it..

The Lin signing was ty, but that has been well do ented..

They need to draft or acquire a star PF to complete their rebuilding plan IMO..

[ElNono]

Houston also sent two 2013 first-round picks (from Dallas and Toronto) to Oklahoma City, sources told Y! Sports, as well as a 2013 second-round pick (via Charlotte). The Thunder will receive the Toronto pick this year if it's slotted Nos. 4-14. That pick also is top-three protected in 2014, top-two protected in 2015 and top-one protected in 2016.

Per Woj

[ElNono]

Basically, with Houston sucking as expected, they're getting a 4-14 pick next draft... that's huge

[thunderup]

Houston also sent two 2013 first-round picks (from Dallas and Toronto) to Oklahoma City, sources told Y! Sports, as well as a 2013 second-round pick (via Charlotte). The Thunder will receive the Toronto pick this year if it's slotted Nos. 4-14. That pick also is top-three protected in 2014, top-two protected in 2015 and top-one protected in 2016.

Per Woj

Rich get richer.

[djohn2oo8]

Basically, with Houston sucking as expected, they're getting a 4-14 pick next draft... that's huge

What? That pick is from Toronto. Houston kept their own pick.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

They acquired one of the best young guards in the league. There are only a few better 2s in the league. They are not the Lakers who can in a box and get people to trade their all stars for it.

[djohn2oo8]

Lol at Orlando getting Aaron Afflalo for Dwight.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Rich get richer.

Enjoy your 4th seed.

Oh and while you have an expiring contract it's debatable if OKC or SA is a less attractive FA destination.