Four-team trade sends disgruntled Harden to Nets
James Harden is heading to Brooklyn, joining old teammate Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to give the Nets a potent trio of the some of the NBA’s highest scorers.
The Nets agreed to acquire the three-time scoring champion from the Houston Rockets on Wednesday in a move he has sought for weeks, said a person with knowledge of the situation.
Harden is the centerpiece of a four-team deal that also involves Indiana and Cleveland, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Once the deal is completed, the Nets will be able to trot out a lineup of three players capable of scoring 25 or more points on any night in a collection of firepower to rival any Big Three in recent years.
It provides a needed boost amid a period of drama for both franchises, struck less than 24 hours after Harden seemed to deliver a farewell address of sorts following the Rockets’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, and just before Irving was set to miss a fifth straight game during a personal absence from the Nets.
At least four draft picks and additional pick swaps are also part of the deal, the person said. Other key players: Victor Oladipo goes from Indiana to Houston, and Caris LeVert goes from Brooklyn to Indiana, the person said, adding that Cleveland was also part of the massive trade. The Cavaliers will get Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince from the Nets in the deal, a person familiar with the trade told the AP.
Harden, who has cycled through Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook as teammates in recent seasons, didn’t think much of the roster the Rockets had around him this season.
“We’re just not good enough ... I love this city. I literally have done everything that I can,” Harden said Tuesday night. “I mean, this situation is crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed.”
Brooklyn expects Harden to leave all that behind him and that his transition to the Nets is smooth.
SUNS-HAWKS POSTPONED BECAUSE OF COVID PROTOCOLSINPHOENIX>> Wednesday night’s contest between the Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks was postponed due to contact tracing in Phoenix that would have left the team short of the required eight-player minimum, the NBA announced.
PELICANS’ WILLIAMSON MISSES CLIPPERS GAME >> The New Orleans Pelicans were without forward Zion Williamson for Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of league COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
MAVERICKS 104, HORNETS 93 >> Luka Doncic had 34 points, 13 rebounds, nine
assists and a career-high four blocks, Kristaps Porzingis scored 16 points in his return from a knee injury, and the Dallas Mavericks beat Charlotte.
Tim Hardaway Jr. added 18 points to help Rick Carlisle become the 16th coach in NBA history to win 800 games. The Mavericks have won four straight after opening 2-4.
Porzingis played 21 minutes in his first game time since having knee surgery in October. BUCKS 110, PISTONS 101 >> Giannis Antetokounmo had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his 20th triple-double, and Milwaukee beat Detroit for the third time this month.
Jrue Holiday added 21 points for the Bucks. Jerami Grant had 22 for Detroit.
NETS 116, KNICKS 109 >> Kevin Durant scored 26 points as the solo superstar, leading the Brooklyn Nets, shorthanded after agreeing to a trade for James Harden, to victory over the New York Knicks.
With point guard Kyrie Irving missing a fifth straight game for personal reasons, the Nets had only nine players.
LAKERS 128, THUNDER 99 >> LeBron James had 26 points to lead L.A. to victory over Oklahoma City.
Anthony Davis also scored 18 and Montrezl Harrell had 21 points off the bench.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 17 points.