In the midst of an ongoing outbreak across the National Basketball Association, a major blockbuster deal appears to be finalized. Former NBA Most Valuable Player James Harden is heading to Brookly to play alongside NBA Champions Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
The mega trade deal comes less than 24 hours after Harden lashed out against the Houston Rockets in a post-game press conference. After a 17-point loss, Harden's two-month-long feud reached a peak as he suggested that he had played his final game in Houston.
“I love this city,” Harden began.
“I mean, this situation is crazy. I’ve literally done everything I can. I don’t think it can be fixed.”
Harden had grown weary of the Houston Rockets because he felt that the team was not in a position to win a championship in the near future. As a member of the Brooklyn Nets, he will be in a position to win a championship this season. In exchange for Harden, the Rockets will receive Indiana Pacers Guard Victor Oladipo, four first-round picks and four draft swaps.
Further away from the spotlight of the trade, the Pacers receive emerging star Caris LeVert and a second-round pick. The Cleveland Cavaliers also receive Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince.
With Harden on the roster, the Nets are not out of the woods just yet. NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving has been out of the team's line-up for nearly a week. Making matters worse, Irving was spotted at a birthday party for his sister while he took time away from the team. Given the COVID-19 outbreak, it appears that he will be out of the team's lineup for the remainder of the week as the NBA investigates if the star point guard violated any health protocols.
The Nets will take the court against the New York Knicks tonight at Madison Square Garden.
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