James Harden has been traded and it appears there is a new big three in the NBA. On Wednesday afternoon news broke via twitter that the former MVP had been traded to the Brooklyn Nets. The trade wasn’t something out of no where either. During a post-game Zoom interview, Harden said that “it’s something I don’t think can be fixed.”
Earlier this week, the Houston Rockets suffered two blowout losses to the Los Angles Lakers. Harden was not happy.
“We’re not even close, honestly, to, obviously, the defending champions and all the other elite teams out there,” Harden said during his postgame presser. “I mean, you can tell the difference in these last two games. We’re just not good enough. Chemistry, talent-wise, just everything, I love this city. I’ve literally done everything that I can. The situation, it’s crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed. Thanks”
Mark Berman – Sports Director at Fox 26 in Houston, TX
The block-buster trade
James Harden asked if he’s surprised the #Rockets didn’t make a run: “We’re just not good enough..Chemistry, talent-wise, everything. It’s clear..I love this city I’ve literally done everything that I can..It’s crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed.” pic.twitter.com/1bbfrytyUj
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 13, 2021
After showing up late to training camp, Harden’s season began and talk of being traded seemed to die down. With Harden now in Brooklyn, he is reuniting with Kevin Durant. He’ll also be playing along side Kyrie Irving. Harden has been pushing for a trade to the Nets in November of last year.
The trade was a three-way transaction that also included the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets will receive four first-round picks and four pick swaps, all of which will come from the Nets except for a 2022 Milwaukee pick currently owned by Cleveland.
Superstar Trio
I’m personally pumped! The reuniting of Harden and Durant is very exciting. The two played together for three seasons in Oklahoma City from 2009–12, reaching the 2012 Finals before Harden was traded to Houston ahead of the 2012–13 season.
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The Nets may have the best offense in the NBA going forward with this superstar trio. It is believed that this is the first time that a team features three players who’s career usage is 100 percent. The same three players who all left their previous teams in similar circumstances. How first-year head coach Steve Nash develops these three together will be interesting.
Currently, Irving is away from the Nets for unclear personal reasons with no timetable for a return and faces potential disciplinary measures if the league finds him in violation of COVID-19 health and safety protocols for allegedly attending a family birthday party. Harden and Durant have already been sidelined this season.
What is the fantasy value moving forward?
With these three All-Stars playing for the same team, there are going to be changes to DFS value. For now, we have to wait to see how Nash designs a system around them. Harden will not travel with the team on Thursday to San Antonio, but it is believed that he could be on the court as soon as Saturday.
I believe it’s fair to say the Nets will have the best offense in the NBA with all three on the court. I also believe the fantasy value for all three of these players goes through the roof. We will see some nights where one or two are hotter than the others, but they will all be scoring.
In terms of DFS we can likely expect very high usage to start out. If Harden plays Saturday with Irving and Durant, we’ll get a first look of how things play out during the game. I’ll obviously have some exposure, but will also go contrarian in multi-lineup tournaments.
News like this is always exciting for NBA and fantasy basketball fans. All three of these guys are generational talent and are among the best scorers in the league. Defenses are going to struggle to contain them. Hopefully as DFS players we can reap the reward of the Brooklyn Nets new big three.
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