The Brooklyn Nets acquired James Harden from the Houston Rockets last year in a three-team deal with the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers.
In the process, Brooklyn gave up center Jarrett Allen and forward Taurean Prince, guard Caris LeVert and forward Rodions Kurucs, as well as three first round draft picks (2022, 2024 and 2026) and four first round pick swaps (2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027).
It was a costly move – but a necessary one. Much more necessary than anyone originally realized.
During a recent episode of his ESPN podcast, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski expressed in detail the real reason Brooklyn actively moved to acquire Harden.
“When the Nets made [the] trade, they saw James Harden as a necessity,” Wojnarowski said. “I think that they could already see that they may not be able to count on Kyrie Irving.”
Irving’s refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccination has rendered him ineligible for Nets home games per New York health rules. This has caused the relationship between him and the front office to deteriorate. It has also seemingly caused strain on his friendship with Kevin Durant.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also issued a rather blunt message to Irving this week.
Ronda Rousey’s personal photo goes viral. https://t.co/0hV1oXfhqR
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 19, 2021
Harden, for his part, had a fairly different perspective on Irving than many others. What the reasoning for that is remains unclear.
One way or another, it appears Irving is off the board for the Nets this year. That means the team’s championship aspirations rest on the shoulders of Durant and Harden.
Will they be enough to win a title? Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
