GOODBYE, JAMES

Rockets send Harden to Brooklyn for Oladipo, haul of picks

James Harden's time in Houston is officially over as the Rockets have agreed to a deal with the Brooklyn Nets sending the malcontent north and receiving Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs four first-round picks and four first-round pick swaps.

It's a lot to take in.

Harden forced the issue Tuesday night after the Lakers drummed the Rockets. Harden said the Rockets were not even close to being a contender.

"I love this city," said Harden. "I literally have done everything that I can. I mean, this situation is crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed."

And now he gets his wish, going to the team he wanted all along. It makes you a little sick about the player empowerment era.

The Rockets did beautifully in the deal as far as the draft picks go, receiving three future first-round picks from Brooklyn (2022, 2024, 2026), a first-round pick from Milwaukee (2022) and four first-round pick swaps from Brooklyn (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027).

Oladipo is the best player the Rockets received. The 28-year old star guard is averaging 20.0 points this season for the Pacers, but his $21.0 million contract is expiring this season. Don't be surprised if the Rockets move him by the deadline.

Plenty more to come...