Houston Rockets: Was the Nets offer the best one for James Harden?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 01: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets is defended by Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 01, 2019 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

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Houston Rockets, James Harden Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images /

Pros and cons to the Nets offer

The biggest pro of accepting the Nets deal was that Houston got much-needed draft capital and now have a plethora of picks through 2027. After losing two first-round picks and two pick swaps to the OKC Thunder last offseason to bring Russell Westbrook to Houston, the Rockets essentially erased everything they lost in that trade by getting back a 2024 and 2026 first-round pick as well as pick swaps in 2021 and 2025.

Not only will all these picks and pick swaps help the Rockets rebuild move at an accelerated pace, but it also gives Houston more flexibility to trade first-round picks, which they would not have been able to do due if they had held on to James Harden due to the Stepien rule if they so desire.

While the Nets deal set up Houston nicely for the future, the biggest downside was that the Rockets did not receive that franchise cornerstone piece that they desired if they were to trade James Harden.

This means that Houston will most likely have to rely on drafting its next franchise player unless they bring in a big-time star in free agency. The problem with this is that draft picks can be very hit or miss and while the Rockets will draft some solid players over the next few years the chances of any of them becoming a superstar like Harden is highly unlikely.

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