A new superteam has risen in the NBA. James Harden has been sent to The Nets in a massive four team deal that was announced the afternoon of Wednesday, January 13th. 

The trade was quite dramatic in the days leading up. Both The Rockets and The Nets were struggling with keeping their star players engaged. James Harden was incredibly vocal about wanting out of Houston and potentially landing with a superteam, which was successful in the end. The Nets were also having struggles with Kyrie Irving, one of the two all-stars on the team before the trade, who missed seven straight games before the trade due to unknown reasons.

The blockbuster trade involved four teams and completely separated the nets personally. The full trade details are below.

Cavaliers receive: Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince

Nets receive: James Harden, second-round pick

Pacers receive: Caris LeVert, second-round pick

Rockets receive: Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, Victor Oladipo, four first-round picks (all unprotected), four first-round pick swaps (all unprotected)

• Nets’ picks in 2022, 2024 and 2026
• Cavaliers’ pick in 2022 (via Bucks)
• Pick swaps with Nets in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027

Source: Sporting News

It is difficult to decipher the winner in this trade as it has many moving parts. The analysis of this trade is broken down to The Nets wanting to win in the next few years rather than building for the future by acquiring/keeping young talent. Jarrett Allen and Caris Levert are both incredible young talents that have the potential to be superstars in the future. The Nets do seem like they have made the correct moves to win in this year and a couple of years to come as the trio combined for 89 points in the win vs the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday. But was this worth trading away their team’s depth and their incredibly bright future? Does the trio have the ability to create chemistry to win it all? These are the questions for The Nets this year and the next few.

Graphic courtesy of “CULT MTL”, 1.13.2021