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The next time the Warriors face James Harden, he won’t be wearing the Houston Rockets uniform.
Indeed, Harden is traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a successful four-team deal that also involves the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, according to several national reports.
The Warriors are set to host Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on February 13 at the Chase Center. It remains to be seen how this trio will coexist, and there are no doubt some people in the basketball world who believe things won’t end well for the Nets.
Brooklyn coach Steve Nash certainly has his work cut out for keeping everyone happy and on the same page, but the talent is undeniable. And if the chemistry is strong – and if all goes well – the Nets should be one of the top NBA title favorites for the next few years.
The Warriors, obviously, are hoping to meet Brooklyn in the NBA Finals at some point, and will have a much better chance when Klay Thompson returns from his torn right Achilles tendon next season. Ultimately, it’s a good thing for the Warriors that they aren’t in the same conference as the Nets.
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As for the Rockets, they joined in the fun:
It’s a bit of a risk for the Rockets as Victor Oladipo is expected to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. If he does not re-sign, Houston will wish to still have the very talented Caris LeVert on board.
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As for this season, we’ll see if the Warriors – who knocked the Rockets out of the playoffs four times in a five-year span from 2015 to 2019 – end up battling Houston for playoff positioning.
Ultimately, Harden leaving the Rockets for the Nets is a huge deal, and the domino effect will be felt for years to come.
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