Harden exits Houston as a three-time scoring champion and eight-time All-Defense honoree.
The Houston Rockets traded former MVP James Harden to the Nets on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne.
The Rockets will receive Brooklyn's unprotected first-round picks in 2022, 2024 and 2026 in the deal, as well as the Cavaliers' 2022 first-round pick, per Wojnarowski and Shelburne. Houston also has the right to swap first-round picks with Brooklyn in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027.
Houston also acquired guards Caris LeVert and Dante Exum on Wednesday along with forward Rodions Kurucs. LeVert was then sent to Indiana in a package that centered around Pacers forward Victor Oladipo, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Brookyln center Jarrett Allen and forward Taurean Prince will also reportedly head to Cleveland in Wednesday's blockbuster trade.
Wednesday's deal marks the end of a two-month saga in Houston after Harden requested a trade in November. The Rockets have limped out of the gate in a 3–6 start, losing to the Lakers 117–110 on Tuesday night.
Harden was visibly frustrated following the defeat, and he re-stated his trade request in a postgame press conference.
“We're not even close, honestly, to [the Lakers]. ...and all the other elite teams out there,” Harden said after the Rockets 17-point loss against Los Angeles on Tuesday. "I mean, you can tell the difference in these last two games. We're just not good enough. Chemistry, talent wise, just everything. And it was clear these last two games."
"I love this city. I literally have done everything that I can. ...It's something that I don't think can be fixed."
The Harden era in Houston ended in ugly fashion, but the 2017–18 MVP leaves the Rockets as one of the greatest players in franchise history. Houston has reached the playoffs in each of the last eight seasons with Harden, coming one win away from the Finals in 2018. Harden is a seven-time All-NBA honoree and a three-time scoring champion, exiting Houston as the second-leading scorer in franchise history.
The Rockets will travel to San Antonio without Harden on Thursday as they look to avoid falling into the Western Conference cellar. Brooklyn could have Harden on the court as soon as Saturday as it hosts the Magic.