Now at the tradeline you flip Martin and those 1sts for something even better.

IIRC...Harden was not much of a factor in the Finals. Of course, he got his shit rocked by Meta World Puss before that.

Not sure if I like this trade, its decent for the long term, but they were not too far from winning it all last season so this makes little sense. I don't follow the NBA much until the playoffs so I may be off base.

He pulled a Belichick.

When Belichick traded Richard Seymour, he really hurt his team's chance to win a championship that year (and potentially undermined it altogether). He got very good value for the player, a guy he knew was likely to walk anyway, but in the process he took a very valuable contributor from his roster and diminished his championship chances substantially that season.

Presti did the same here. I'm not convinced that the Thunder a championship caliber team without Harden. Just like that Patriots team, they still have their motor and they still have his top dog running mate. They still have the look of a team that can win it all.

But the Pats desperately needed Seymour down the stretch and his absence was glaringly obvious against the Pats toughest opposition.

I applaud Presti for getting nice value for his player (though it's the NBA; first round picks past 10 are about like 3rd round picks in the NFL). That said, I almost wonder if he shouldn't have just held onto Harden, made his championship push and then done a sign/trade for less overall value in the offseason (but get one more season of Harden out of it).

These are all strong points. However, one of those first rounder picks is a guaranteed lottery pick, so who knows how well that will go.

Secondly, Harden was valuable because he was a strong scorer when Westbrook and Durant needed a breather. He became "the man" during those times and often opened up the game because of his ability to dish the ball.

Overall, I agree with your point that the Thunder are probably a little worse now, but Martin will score and provide a punch off the bench, and I'll rely on the past and future success of Presti in the draft. He did get Serge in the 20s.

Simmons weighs in:

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/...arden-disaster

I agree with him - this just wasn't a good deal for Oklahoma City.

Be interesting to see how Harden does when he is running with Jeremy Lynn and whoever else Houston has instead of Durantula and Westbrook.

History says Durant wasn't going to win anyway until he is 27/28. Ironically that is the age that the elite quarterbacks start winning Super Bowls.

pretty good Rocket debut for Harden. Holy shit

I'd rather live here in podonk Oklahoma than ****ing Houston ;)

Incredible start, wonder if he can be the guy the whole season.

Way to go beard! Until you play OKC :)