On Sunday, the Oklahoma City Thunder dealt star guard James Harden to the Houston Rockets in a trade that caught the sports world by surprise.
One of those surprised by the trade was Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade, who called Thunder’s trade of Harden to the Rockets “shocking.”
“It was shocking but they made the move they felt was right for them,” Wade said, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. The Miami Heat beat the Thunder in 5 games to win the NBA title earlier this year.
The Thunder and Harden were reportedly thisclose to locking up a deal before his impending free agency in July 2013. The Thunder had until Halloween night to sign harden to a 4-year $60 million contract extension. But the team passed on re-signing Harden probably due to his lackluster numbers during the preseason.
Harden will share the Rockets back court with former NY Knick star Jeremy Lin who helped lead the Rockets to a 5-2 preseason record.
In return for Harden, the Rockets give up guards Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb, two first-round picks and a second-round pick, according to Sports Illustrated.
“It happened so fast, it happened very fast,” Harden said. “But this is the position I’m in now. Just have to make the best out of it. I’m with Houston now. I just have to come in here and play hard and win games.”
Harden added that he expects the Rockets to sign him to a long-term contract extension worth far north of $60 million.
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