Posted by stinenavy on 10/28/2012 12:32:00 AM (view original):
Harden, Aldrich, and Cook gone. Martin and Lamb in.
Figured OKC would find a way to keep all 4, but the few millions they wanted to save by not giving Harden the max undid it. Martin is what he is, a very good shooter and a guy that can create his own shot, but he's just an awful defensive player that has a tendency to miss a fair amount of games. He does come as just a one year rental though.
I wanted to see Aldrich finally get some PT as I think he has a some promise. His loss leaves a hole in the post rotation. I figure they're working PJIII as a PF.
Always liked Cook. I'm a fan of 3 point gunners.
Overall not a terrible deal, but also wait and see. Alot depends on how they use the cash they aren't spending on Harden. Also on how quickly PJIII, R-Jack, and now Lamb can develop. Haven't heard if the picks are protected.
Had to see what I posted when the trade happened. I also posted when they signed Ibaka, that they should give Harden anything he wanted, and amnesty Perkins.
As far as the wait and see, the cash not going Harden is going in Clay Bennett's pockets. It appears there's no chance he would ever pay any significant luxury tax. So far the trade is Harden (and filler) for 1 season of Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, Steven Adams, and the Mavs 1st rounder when it's 20th or later. Ouch.
Looking at some of the transactions, it's obvious it was a ridiculously bad move to trade Harden at that time. It seems OKC wanted no part of free agency drama with Harden and the idea that he could leave for nothing, but when you look at how some other deals get done OKC could have stuck with him for another season then told the whole NBA that they would match any offer sheet (since he would have been restricted FA) and the only way to get him was via sign-and-trade.